Condition Assessment Methodology for Spillways
Abstract
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has primary responsibility for maintaining and operating U.S. navigable waterways and Federal flood control dams. Dam safety is a critical priority, but assessment and prioritization of dam safety concerns is difficult. This report describes a condition assessment and prioritization methodology for structural, mechanical, electrical, and operational aspects of spillways. The methodology was developed to help provide a firmer engineering basis for prioritization and decision making. The method described herein is less rigorous than conventional reliability-based risk assessment approaches. As a lower cost option it can be used as a preliminary method, a replacement, or an enhancement of conventional reliability-based assessment approaches, depending on the circumstances. Current Headquarters USACE policy for portfolio risk assessment for the dam and levee safety programs is to use the reliability-based risk assessment approach. The methodology described herein uses visual inspection data in combination with spillway function and component importance criteria to develop priority rankings. The rankings reflect the condition ratings for the spillway and its subcomponents and also indicate the significance of any deficiencies. Although the rankings assist in budget prioritization, they are not intended for use as the sole criterion for maintenance and repair of spillways. This methodology is one of several that engineers and managers of spillways and other Civil Works infrastructure can use to help maintain their infrastructure.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA485775
Entities
People
- Jean Robichaud
- Luc E. Chouinard
- Ralph Wittebolle
- Stuart Foltz
Organizations
- Engineer Research and Development Center