Aging Ontario Hydraulic Structures Need Some TLC

  Aging Ontario Hydraulic Structures Need Some TLC Dams and Hydraulic Structures are often the forgotten "wall flowers" of a typical waterpower facility during budget time compared to their more "sexy" cousins the mechanical and electrical systems. However, the fact remains, the vast majority of Ontario's hydraulic infrastructure was built more than 60 years ago, and many are over 100 years old. While these structures were robustly designed, it is doubtful the original designers expected them to still be around in 2017 without systematic maintenance programs. Unfortunately, these programs have been somewhat lacking for many structures over the last few decades. Ontario's hydraulic structures are asked to withstand not only their loading, but the wide range of weather experienced in...

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Structural Inspections

Heavy Civil Structures:  Given their robust nature, it is easy for private owners of hydraulic structures / dams and waterpower facilities to ignore, or at least minimize the preventative maintenance effort and cost for these structures, especially if there are more pressing budget concerns relating to mechanical or electrical elements.  However, concrete hydraulic structures in Ontario are exposed to very severe conditions and experience continued, degenerative deterioration over their lifespan.  If this deterioration is not addressed, it can quickly lead to: safety issues for staff and the public, regulatory issues with respect to non-compliant environmental practices, water infiltration through the structure that can expedite deterioration, larger, more expensive repairs, forced shut downs of the facility to accommodate larger repairs. Identifying the...

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