Powerhouse founded on soil 1

[georam]

Most of the hydroelectrical projects, especially those with high output power utilizing large size turbines in their powerhouses, the powerhouse is usually founded on sound bedrock. This will eliminate long term foundation settlement, potential instabillity due to earthquake, liquefactions, etc. The turbines created vibration during operation, which may result in movement or settlement if founded on soil.
However, for small hydro projects (such as those who generating up to 10MW power), bedrock foundation may be uneconomical, if it is not found close to the existing ground surface.
My question is whether there are documentation about small hydro cases, in which their powerhouse is founded on soil or overburden. Is there technical papers, conference papers that discuss about this specific issue?
Thanks for info.

 

[antoniopietrangeli]

The most comprehensive books on PH design is the followings series :

- Civil Engineering Guidelines for Planning and Designing Hydroelectric Developments
ASCE 1989

If you go on the ASCE web site

http://www.pubs.asce.org/

you can buy a fac-simile copy ( they're out of print ) of these books.

Please check volume 3 ( design of powerhouses and related topics ) and volume 4 ( planning, designing, and construction of small-scale hydroelectric projects ).

I guess ( and hope ) you might find an answer to your questions on these books.

Antonio Pietrangeli
Studio Pietrangeli

http://www.pietrangeli.it