Freyssinet relies on solid skills and experience to repair, strengthen, and protect all types of dam structures. Our interventions range from basic repairs to stability enhancement, spillways and spillway gates rehabilitation, radial gate anchors strengthening, seismic upgrade, asbestos containing coating removal, etc. When it comes to waterproofing, you can count on our specialist subsidiary Carpi, the most experienced waterproofing geomembranes contractor worldwide.
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200+Large dams of all types
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100+Reservoirs for water supply, irrigation, hydropower, recreational use
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80+Canals, hydraulic tunnels and shafts
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50+Underground and environment protection structures
Dams main challenges
Dam failure results in a catastrophic break followed by a flood wave often with considerable loss of life or property. Over time, water infrastructures degrade and lose their watertightness due to water and environment attack, settlements, and deformations.
Poor bearing conditions can ultimately lead to instability of the structure.
Excessive water infiltration due to inadequate or non-existent drainage can lead to uplift forces on the structure.
Water seeping through cracks of the concrete facing and dislocation of the masonry works.
Concrete surfaces abraded by erosion due to the very high velocity waters
Concrete cracks in the body of the dam, water infiltrations, failed masonry joints, etc.
Modernization can be required to meet the requirements of new seismic regulations.
From investigation to execution
Structural assessment
Depending on the project, our services include inspections to assess the condition of the structure, loads and possible site logistics. We can engage specific investigation tools, such as underwater surveys with divers and remotely operated vehicles, multibeam sonar, laser scanning, magnetic field analysis, etc. We produce 3D renderings of the structure.
Design of the repair and waterproofing solution
Based on the results of the investigations and the client’s requirements, our technical teams develop the detailed solution. All our projects are designed in accordance with the guidelines of internationally recognised organisations such as the ICOLD, the International Commission on Large Dams.
Manufacturing and supply
All components of our repair and waterproofing solutions are produced by ISO-certified manufacturers, according to our specifications and under CE marking. They are selected, checked, packed, shipped and delivered to site according to strict quality control procedures.
Execution
Works in the dry are carried out by teams of highly specialised technicians from Freyssinet and Carpi companies established worldwide and local workers trained to specific skill standards. Underwater installation is carried out by our underwater partners, who have extensive experience in the maintenance and waterproofing of hydraulic structures.
Picture: Panneciere dam, France / Copyright Thierry Chomel
Our solutions and technologies for dams
We offer our services for large-scale repair programs involving substantial engineering input, harsh conditions such as remote areas, low temperatures, work under water, difficult access or heavy logistic constraints.
- Visual and drone inspections
- Condition assessment using various inspection and monitoring techniques
- Asbestos containing material removal
- Hydro-demolition
- Rejointing of masonry
- Abrasion-resistant mortar relining
- Prestressed ground anchors
- Concrete works
- Earthquake resistance concrete struts
- Prevention: water vapour barriers, hydrophobic impregnation, flexible micro-porous coatings
- Control: re-alkalisation, free chloride extraction, corrosion inhibitors
- Protection: galvanic protection, impressed cathodic current protection
- Imperviousness systems: rigid cement and resin-based mortar linings, epoxy and polyethylene coatings, etc
- Watertightness systems: semi-flexible glass epoxy composites, glass vinyl ester composites, Carpi thermoplastic waterproofing geomembranes, semi-flexible welded HDPE sheets, flexible polyurethane or polyurea coatings,
- Joint bridging
- Biogenic corrosion protection systems: calcium cement aluminate mortars, hybrid polyurethane, etc
Find out more in our case studies
Other references
Contact us
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