ESG is pleased to announce the successful incorporation of their microseismic monitoring systems to hydroelectric dams in Iraq and China.  Specifically, the Paladin™ Dam Monitoring System has been installed in seven hydro-electric dams in Iraq and one at the Jinping Hydroelectric Dam in Schuan province in China.

In Iraq, each dam has a triaxial force-based accelerometer located at the crest of the dam.  This is used to monitor the ground vibration of the crest, and record the effects that any large scale seismic events (earthquakes) may have on the structure of the dam.  By obtaining information from the dam structure, it is hoped that engineers can use this information to quantify the effects that earthquakes may have on these dams.  Knowing how dam structures respond to large-magnitude events will influence future dam design and also help operators to determine procedures for when seismic events exceed certain thresholds.

In addition to using accelerometers for dam design threshold monitoring, ESG’s Seismic Monitoring system also incorporates low-frequency iSeismographs positioned a few kilometers from the dam near to the edge of the water reservoir.  These iSeismographs include Gurlap sensors which are installed in shallow boreholes and powered by solar panels.  The iSeismographs are positioned to detect and record any seismicity that might be associated with water reservoir operations, particularly raising and lowering the water level in the reservoir.  Over time, operators will be able to determine the extent of seismicity that is directly associated with reservoir operations.

In China, ESG has recently installed a Paladin™ Dam Monitoring System at the Jinping Hyodroelectric Dam in Schuan province.  The system is designed to monitor the dam abutments, continually observing the integrity of the structure ensuring that a good seal exists and there is no cracking or separation.