Major dams remain structurally sound, despite drought in Thailand

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EIT: Major dams remain structurally sound, despite drought

BANGKOK, 21 July 2015, (NNT) - According to the Engineering Institute of Thailand Under His Majesty the King's Patronage (EIT), the country's four major dams remain structurally sound despite experiencing an extreme change in water level due to drought.

The four dams are Bhumipol, Sirikit, Kwai Noi Bumrung Dan, and Pa Sak Jolasid Dams.

Representatives from EIT, the Irrigation Department and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) made the joint announcement. They said that before discharging water from a dam containing only a minimum level of water, they would have to make sure that its structural integrity would remain intact.

In addition, the officials would only discharge water from an electricity generating dam that had a minimum level of water in it, in emergency cases. Such situations involve preservation of the ecosystem, agricultural & household sector emergencies, and electricity generation.

EIT officials are confident that the structure of each of the four major dams is highly secured and has not be affected by the severe drop in the water level. They would however continue to monitor the dams closely.


-- NNT 2015-07-21

[ToddinChonburi]

Why would lack of water hurt a dam ? just asking

[chainarong]

Without appearing factitious , why wouldn't the dams be structurally sound , there's no weight behind the walls, that's why dams are structured in such away all the weight is carried behind the walls not on the pad on which the base sits, the startling admission only 4 major dams , for 70 million people plus irrigation , Christ a lot of faith is placed on these four.

[Oziex1]

Checked by the guy who checked that road the other day, the road that collapsed the very next day after he gave it the all clear.

[Reigntax]

Why would lack of water hurt a dam ? just asking

For a reinforced concrete dam adequately founded or anchored in bedrock it won't make any difference.

For a mass gravity dam constructed from compacted soils, clays and crushed rock, it is possible that a low water level by drying out, will create shrinkage and hence cracks. A sudden increase in water level without time for soil expansion and if not compacted properly during construction, could allow water penetration through shrinkage cracks.

The question should be, do you have confidence in Thai engineers and their opinions and if they did realise a problem existed, would they admit it?

Edited July 21, 2015 by Reigntax

[ratcatcher]

Why would lack of water hurt a dam ? just asking

For a reinforced concrete dam adequately founded or anchored in bedrock it won't make any difference.

For a mass gravity dam constructed from compacted soils, clays and crushed rock, it is possible that a low water level by drying out, will create shrinkage and hence cracks. A sudden increase in water level without time for soil expansion and if not compacted properly during construction, could allow water penetration through shrinkage cracks.

The question should be, do you have confidence in Thai engineers and their opinions and if they did realise a problem existed, would they admit it?

A dam good response.

[fred Kubasa]

Without expert inspection, including scans, there is no way to know what, if any damage occurred.

[SantiSuk]

Checked and certified by Thai engineers, with political input from a military dictatorship

Be afraid, be very afraid.

Edited July 21, 2015 by SantiSuk