INCOLD

ICOLD Symposium on Sustainable Development of Dams and River Basins, 24th - 27th February, 2021, New Delhi

Long Term Structural Performance

Monitoring of Gravity Dams Through
Analysis and Interpretation of
Instrumentation Data –A case study
M.S. Hanumanthappa, Rizwan Ali, Shyamli Paswan, Shabeer A
Lone and Vishnu K Meena
Central Water and Power Research Station, Pune, India

ABSTRACT
Many dams have shown sudden distresses in the form of cracking, deformations, seepage and sometimes
failures without any warning even after proper design. These sudden distresses in major structures gave a
thought of having a proper warning system. The early warning system consisting of different type instruments
installed in the dams at various locations, data acquisition & transfer mechanism, expert analysts and decision
takers would help to avoid disasters in the event of sudden failures. Most of the countries are now making
regulations to have a better early warning system, which should be efficient and reliable. India too not left
behind in this engineering field and followed to remain at par with International Standards by installing
instruments in most of the major dams constructed during last 4 decade. Recently Dam Safety Bill 2019 has
been introduced by Government of India and it has been made mandatory to monitor the safety of the dams
by installing instruments in all major dams. Proper analysis of the data obtained from these instruments is
necessary to study the post construction structural behaviour of the dam and get early indication about the
distresses likely to happen. This paper discusses about how a effective and sustainable data analysis and
interpretation mechanism developed for Indira Sagar Dam is beneficial in getting early warning about the
distresses likely to happen. It is a 92 m high Concrete Gravity and very well instrumented under the guidance
of CWPRS during construction. From these instruments a large number raw data has been obtained which
has been analysed to get useful information and enabled project authority to take timely remedial measures.
Study indicated that the dam behaviour by and large is satisfactory except detection of high uplift pressure in
toe region of non overflow block.

1. INTRODUCTION
Dam safety is considered an inherent function in the planning, design, construction, maintenance and operation of dams.
In spite of taking due care in planning, design and execution stages; many of dams have shown signs of distresses in
terms of cracking, settlement and seepage etc. Failures have not only occurred in dams built without proper application
of engineering principles during design stage; but also in dams built to the accepted state of art of “dam engineering”.
Detailed investigations conducted on many dam failures occurred in various countries, have confirmed that a majority
of these failures could have been avoided by proper design, construction, regulation and having a proper monitoring
system. An early warning system through measurement of various parameters which may cause distress in the dam in
future, gives very important timely information about the dam behaviour. This early warning system consists of set of
instruments, regular data acquisition, analysis of acquired data and thereby monitoring dam behavior on long term basis.
This paper describes the structural performance being monitored through analysis and interpretation of instrumentation
data of Indira Sagar Dam in MP. Indira Sagar Dam is very well instrumented and dam structural behavior is continuously
being monitored by analyzing the data obtained by the installed instruments under the guidance of CWPRS since 2003.
The paper brings out the highlights of structural monitoring of the dam through analysis and interpretation of the data
obtained by the various instruments since 2003.

2. INTRUMENTATION IN INDIRA SAGAR DAM

Indira Sagar dam, constructed across Narmada River in Madhya Pradesh is a concrete gravity dam of 653 m long and
92 m high (Fig. 1). The dam consists of 27 blocks (1 to 3 and 25 to 27 forming non-overflow portion and block Nos.4 to
24 forming overflow (Spillway) portion). The reservoir, one of the largest in India, with water storage of 12.22 Billion
cubic meters is a multipurpose project, with an overall hydropower generation of 1000 MW ( 8 × 125 MW).

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 one of the largest in India, with water storage of 12.22 Billion cubic meters is a multipurpose pro-
ject, with an overall
non-overflow portion hydropower generation
and block Nos.4 of 1000overflow
to 24 forming MW ( 8X 125 MW).
(Spillway) portion). The reservoir,
one of the largest
Symposium in India,Development
on Sustainable with water of
storage of 12.22
Dams and Billion 24
River Basins, cubic
th
- 27meters
th is a multipurpose
February, pro-
2021, New Delhi
ject, with an overall hydropower generation of 1000 MW ( 8X 125 MW).

FigureFigure
1. A bird
1 : Aview of Indira
bird view Sagar
of Indira SagarDam
Dam
Figure 1. A bird view of Indira Sagar Dam
The dam has been instrumented to study the structural behaviour by installing frequency based vibrating wire type
The
instrumentsdam
The dam
has
in has
blockbeen
been
instrumented
13 instrumented
and 25 during to study the structural
to construction.
behaviour
Figuresbehaviour
study the structural 2 and 3 show by installing
the location
by installing
frequency
instruments
frequency
based vibrating
installed
based vibrating in block wire
wire
type
no.13type instruments
andinstruments
block no 25in in block 13
respectively, and 25
The25type
block 13 and during construction.
and number
during Figures
of instruments
construction. Figures 2are
and 2 and
listed 3 show
in Table
3 show the
1. location
the location instruments
instruments in- in-
stalled in block no.13 and block no 25 respectively, The type and number of instruments are
stalled in block no.13 and block no 25 respectively, The type and number of instruments are listed in table 1.listed in table 1.

Figure 2. Locations of Instruments installed in Block No.13

Figure 2. Locations of Instruments installed in Block No.13

Figure 2 : Locations of Instruments installed in Block No.13

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 Symposium on Sustainable Development of Dams and River Basins, 24th - 27th February, 2021, New Delhi

Figure 3 : Locations of Instruments installed in Block No.25

Figure 3. Locations of Instruments installed in Block No.25
Table 1 : The type and number of instruments installed in Blocks 13 and 25

Table 1. Sr.
TheNo. Name
type and of Instrument
number Block13
of instruments installed in Blocks Noand
2525 Block No.13
1. Foundation Piezometer 08
_____________________________________________________________________________ 11
Sr. No. Name
2. of Instrument Block No 25
Uplift Pressure Pipe Block
05 No.13 07
_____________________________________________________________________________
1. 3.
Foundation Extensometer
Piezometer 08 01
11 01
2. 4. Pressure
Uplift Reservoir
Pipe Water Level Meter
05 01
07 01
3. Extensometer
5. Pore Pressure Cell 01 01
04 07
4. Reservoir Water Level Meter 01 01
5. 6. Pressure
Pore JointCell
Meter 04 10
07 13
6. Joint
7. Meter Temperature Meter 10 13
16 33
7. Temperature Meter 16 33
8. Strain Meter 08 05
8. Strain Meter 08 05
9. No9.Stress No Stress
Strain Strain Meter 08
Meter 08
02 02
10. Stress
10. Meter Stress Meter 07 07
07 07
11. Clinometers 02 07
11. Clinometers 02
_____________________________________________________________________________ 07

3. ANALYSIS OF ACQUIRED DATA

The recorded/observed data supplied by the Project Authority, has been thoroughly examined and scrutinized. Data has
been segregated, direction and location wise. Calibration coefficients of all the instruments, have been verified during
the first site visit from calibration and installation records. Missing data has been obtained by interpolation and based
on trend of graphs. The raw data, in terms of frequency square, has been converted into engineering units (wherever
applicable) during analysis by incorporating calibration coefficients. Analysis of data from instruments has in general

3
 instruments, have been verified during the first site visit from calibration and installation records.
Missing data has been obtained by interpolation and based on trend of graphs. The raw data, in
terms of frequency square, has been converted into engineering units (wherever applicable) during
analysis by incorporating calibration coefficients. Analysis of data from instruments has in general
Symposiumbeenon Sustainable Development
made after applying necessaryof corrections,
Dams and wherever
River Basins, 24th -The
applicable. 27thparameters
February,have2021, New Delhi
been
plotted with time period and reservoir water level. Effect of reservoir water level on various param-
eters such as uplift pressure, pore pressure, temperature, strain, vertical stress etc., has been studied
been made after and
applying necessary
presented. corrections,
Even after wherever
incorporating applicable.
correction Thedata
to erroneous parameters
wherever have beensome
possible, plotted with time
period and reservoir waterinlevel.
anomalies the trendEffect
of a of
fewreservoir water as
graphs depicting level on spikes,
sudden varioushave
parameters such which
been observed, as uplift
can pressure, pore
be attributed
pressure, temperature, strain, tovertical
either malfunctioning
stress etc., hasofbeen
instruments
studiedorand
error in data acquisition.
presented. Even after The fluctuating correction to
incorporating
trend of graphs
erroneous data wherever in some
possible, somecases has again stabilized
anomalies and started
in the trend of a few showing
graphsnormal trend over
depicting the years.
as sudden spikes, have been
observed, which 4canSeTTing
be attributed to either
of baSe Linemalfunctioning of instruments or error in data acquisition. The fluctuating
trend of graphs in some cases has again stabilized and started showing normal trend over the years.
Structural behavior of the dam has been studied by comparing expected values of each parameter
4. SETTINGbased
OF onBASE LINE
baseline data. Parameters such as uplift and pore pressure are compared with computed
values
Structural behavior as dam
of the per BIS
hascode
been6512-1984 criteria,
studied by Joint movement
comparing expectedbyvalues
BIS 456-2002, Temperature
of each parameter meas-
based on baseline data.
Parameters such urement
as upliftbyand
CWPRS
pore predicted
pressurevalues and other parameters
are compared are compared
with computed valueswith computation
as per BIS codeof vari-
6512-1984 criteria,
ous parameters by mathematical modelling using FEM.
Joint movement by BIS 456-2002, Temperature measurement by CWPRS predicted values and other parameters are
compared with computation of various parameters by mathematical modelling using FEM.
5. PARAMETRS MONITORED
5 ParameTrS moniToreD

5.1 Reservoir Level

5.1 Reservoir Level
Water level measurement is vital
Water level as it is major
measurement is vitaldestabilizing force and induces
as it is major destabilizing other
force and destabilizing
induces forces. Figure 3 shows
other destabilizing
the plot of observed reservoir
forces. Figure 3water
showslevel forofthe
the plot periodreservoir
observed February 2004
water to for
level December
the period2018. The2004
February trendto of the graph is
cyclic in nature indicating
December normal
2018. Thebehavior.
trend of The maximum
the graph water
is cyclic levelindicating
in nature reached normal
duringbehavior.
the yearThe
2018 has been observed
maxi-
at El. 261.89 m mum water level reached during the year 2018 has been observed at El. 261.89 m
264

260

256
Water Level (m)

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244

240
Water Level
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232
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Time Period--->
Water Level (m)

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236 Water Level

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Time Period--->
Figure 4. Variation water level between 2003-2018
Figure 4 : Variation water level between 2003-2018
2.1 264

1.8 260
Uplift Pressure (Kg/cm2)--->

256
1.5
Water Level (m)--->

252
1.2
248
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244
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240
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FPM6(28.4m D/s)
Time Period--->
Uplift Pressure (Kg/cm2)--->

FPM8(44.8m D/s) 256

1.5
Water Level (m)--->

FPM9(52m D/s)
252
1.2 FPM10(60m D/s)
FPM11(64m D/s) 248
0.9
Water Level 244
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240
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Time Period--->

Figure 5. Typical
Figure variation variation
5 : Typical uplift pressure between
uplift 2003-2018
pressure in Block
between No. 13 in Block No. 13
2003-2018
FPM6(28.4m D/s)
FPM8(44.8m D/s)
FPM9(52m D/s)

4 FPM10(60m D/s)
FPM11(64m D/s)
Water Level
 II Ju
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IDec1

IDec1
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IIMa
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IIJan1
I Jan 1
I Fe

IIFe

I Fe
II No

II No
II Au

II Se

II Se
I No

I Se

I Au

IIAu
I No

I Se
Time Period--->

Symposium on5.Sustainable
Figure Development
Typical variation of Dams
uplift pressure and2003-2018
between River Basins, 24thNo.
in Block - 2713
th
February, 2021, New Delhi
FPM6(28.4m D/s)
FPM8(44.8m D/s)
FPM9(52m D/s)
FPM10(60m D/s)
FPM11(64m D/s)
Water Level

5.2 Uplift Pressure

5.2 UpliftFigurePressure
Figure
6. 6 :variation
Typical Typical variation uplift pressure
uplift pressure between between
2003-20172003-2017
in Block in Block
No. 25 No. 25
The second most destabilizing force in gravity dams, is uplift. This can be measured by foundation
The second
5.2 Uplift Pressure
piezometers. most destabilizing
The Figures 5 & 6forceshowinthe gravity dams,
variation is uplift.
of uplift This can
pressure be measured
in block no 13 & by 25 foundation
during the
piezometers.
period most The
2013-2018/17. Figures 5 & 6 show the variation of uplift pressure in block no 13 & 25induring the
The second destabilizingThe forcemaximum
in gravity dams,measured uplift
is uplift. pressure
This during the
can be measured year 2018 piezometers.
by foundation Spillway The
period
Block 62013-2018/17.
5 & No.13
show has The
been observed maximum to varymeasured
from uplift
3.72no 13 &pressure
kg/cm 2 during theto2013-2018/17.
year
0.02 2018
kg/cmin2The
2
atSpillway
Figures the variation of uplift pressure in block 2 atduring
25 the dam axis
the period 12.4
maximumm
Block
downstream
measured No.13
uplift has been
from
pressure the dam
during observed
theaxis.
year A to comparison
2018 vary from 3.72
in Spillway has kg/cm
been
Block athas
made
No.13 the damobserved
between
been axis to 0.02
computed kg/cm
and
to vary at 12.4
measured
from 3.72 up-
kg/cm m2 at
downstream
lift axis
the dam pressure from
to 0.02atkg/cm the
2 dam axis. A comparison has been made between computed and measured up-
base ofat dam12.4 mfordownstream
maximum from reservoir
the dam water
axis.level reached during
A comparison has beenthe yearbetween
made 2018 (Fig. 8
computed
liftFig.
& pressure
and measured uplift
9). atpressure
From base
theoffigures,
atdam
basefor
it maximum
of dam be
can forseen reservoir
maximum
that the water
upliftlevel
reservoir water reached during
leveldevelopment
pressure reached theinyear
during the 2018
year
block (Fig.
2018
no. is8 8
13(Fig.
&9).
& Fig.
wellFig.
From9).the
within From
the the itfigures,
figures,
limits it in
can be seen
whereas can bethe
that
block seen that
uplift
no. 25, itthe
pressure uplift pressure
development
is exceeding indevelopment
towards block no. 13 isinwell
downstream block no.the
within
side. This 13 is
limits
phe-
well
whereas within the
in blockisno.
nomenon limits whereas
25, itobserved
being is exceedingsincein block
towards no. 25,
very downstream it
long basedside. is exceeding
Thisfirst
on the towards
phenomenon
year of data downstream
is being side.
observed
analysis. This phe-
sincestudies
Tracer very long
nomenon
basedfrom
on the is
first being
year of observed
data since
analysis. Tracer very long
studies based
from CWPRSon the first year
identified of
that,
CWPRS identified that, the leakage from intake HR tunnel through hillock was source of this data
the analysis.
leakage from Tracer
intake studies
HR tunnel
from
through CWPRS identified that, the leakage from intake HR tunnel through
leakage. CWPRS recommended Project authorities to take remedial measures to control the same. to
hillock was source of this leakage. CWPRS recommended Project authorities hillock
to takewas source
remedial of this
measures
leakage.
control the same. CWPRS recommended Project authorities to take remedial measures to control the same.

Figure 7. Comparison of measured and calculated uplift pressure in Block No. 13

Figure 7. Comparison
Figure 7of measuredofand
: Comparison calculated
measured uplift pressure
and calculated in Block
uplift pressure No.No.
in Block 1313

Figure 8of
Figure 8. Comparison : Comparison
measured of measured
and and calculated
calculated uplift pressure
uplift pressure in Block
in Block No.No.
2525
Figure 8. Comparison of measured and calculated uplift pressure in Block No. 25
5.3 Pore Pressure 5
5.3 Pore Pressure
Pore pressure is developed in the body of the dam due to entry of water at different levels. Pore
Pore pressure
pressure is developed
cell measures in theInbody
the same. of the
general thedam
maindue to entry
reason of water
leading at differentoflevels.
to development Pore
pore pres-
 Symposium on Sustainable Development of Dams and River Basins, 24th - 27th February, 2021, New Delhi

5.3 Pore Pressure

Pore pressure is developed in the body of the dam due to entry of water at different levels. Pore pressure cell measures
the same. In general the main reason leading to development of pore pressure in concrete dams, is generally attributed
to seeping of reservoir water through cracks, honeycombed concrete regions and block joints on upstream face. If no
new cracks are developed on upstream face of the dam, pore pressure generally goes on diminishing with time due
to deposition of silts and alkalis in cracks and honeycombed concrete as well as in block joints. Figure 9 shows the
variation of pore pressure built up inside the dam body. The maximum pore pressure at El. 200 m developed during
the year 2018, has been observed to be 0.96 kg/cm2. The maximum pore pressure developed during the year 2018 is
not excessive as compared to pressure computed corresponding to head of water above the pore pressure cell in the
reservoir and does not pose any risk of crack propagation in mass concrete in spillway block. The trend exhibited by
pore pressure variation continues to be cyclic. Cleaning of pore pressure relief drain holes at regular intervals may
relieve pore pressure built up inside the dam body.
3.0 264
3.0 264
260
2)--->

260
2)--->

(m)--->
256
(Kg/cm

(m)--->
2.0 256
(Kg/cm

252
2.0
252

Level
Pressure

248

Level
Pressure

248
244

Water
1.0
244

Water
1.0 240
Pore

240
Pore

236
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260
2)--->

260

(m)--->
256
2)--->

(m)--->
(Kg/cm

2.0 256
252
(Kg/cm

2.0 Time Period--->

Level
252
Time Period---> PP-1(6m D/s) 248

Level
Pressure

PP-1(6m D/s) 248

Water
Water Level 244
Pressure

1.0

Water
Water Level 244
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240
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Time Period--->
Figure 9. Typical variation pore pressure
Timebetween
Period---> 2003-2018
Figure 9. TypicalFigure 9 :pore
variation Typical variation
pressure between pore pressure between 2003-2018
2003-2018

5.4 Joint Movement

5.4 Joint Movement
5.4 Joint Movement
Joint meters are installed to measure relative displacement / movement between two lifts in vertical
Joint meters are installed
direction toare
Joint meters
and measure
dam blockrelative
installed joints in displacement
to measure relative
three / movement
displacement
mutually between
/ movement
perpendicular two
between
directions. lifts
Fig. 10two in vertical
lifts
shows direction and dam
in vertical
PP-1(6m D/s) the varia-
block joints in three
tion mutually
direction perpendicular
and dam
of observed block joints directions.
displacement/ in
movement Fig.time
three mutually
with 10 shows thedirections.
perpendicular
along with variation of observed
Fig.
reservoir water 10 shows
level
PP-1(6m in
D/s)
Water Level displacement/
the
the varia-
Indira movement
tion of
with time along with
Sagar observedwater
reservoir
dam. displacement/
level inmovement
the Indirawith timedam.
Sagar along with reservoir waterWater
level in the Indira
Level
Sagar dam.
15.0 264
15.0 264
260
260
(mm)--->

10.0 256
(m)--->
(mm)--->

10.0 256
(m)--->

252
252
Deformation

Level

5.0 248
Deformation

Level

5.0 248
244
Water

244
Water

0.0 240
0.0 240
236
236
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260
260
10.0 256
(mm)--->

Time Period--->
(m)--->

10.0 256
(mm)--->

Time Period--->
(m)--->

252
252
Level

5.0 248
Deformation

Level

5.0 248
Deformation

244
Water

J-9R(17m D/s, El 216) 244

Water

0.0 240
0.0 J-9R(17m D/s,
J-10(40m D/s, El
El 211)
216) 240
J-10(40m D/s, El 211) 236
Water Level
236
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I Jun
II Aug

II Sep

II Sep
II Oct
I Oct
II Jan12

II Jan17
I Jan11

I Jan16
IIFeb
II Apr

II Apr
I Apr

I Apr
I Mar

IIMar
II Jun

II Jun
II Jul

II Aug
I Jun
I Sep

I Aug

I Sep
II May
I May

I Feb
I Feb

Time Period--->
Figure 10. Typical variation block joint Time
movement
Period---> in the dam between 2003-2018
Figure 10. Typical variation block joint movement in the dam between 2003-2018
Figure 10 : Typical variation block joint movement in the dam between 2003-2018

6
J-9R(17m D/s, El 216)
J-9R(17m D/s,
J-10(40m D/s, El
El 211)
216)
J-10(40m
Water D/s, El 211)
Level
Water Level
 Symposium on Sustainable Development of Dams and River Basins, 24th - 27th February, 2021, New Delhi

5.5 Temperature
5.5 Temperature

270

260
36
35
250 34
33
32
240
31
30
29
230
28
27
220 26
25
24
210 23
22
21
200
20

190

180
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Figure Figure
11. Distribution of temperature
11 : Distribution inside the inside
of temperature dam inthe
NOF andinOF
dam blocks
NOF and OF blocks
Temperature measurement
Temperature inside the massinside
measurement concrete is very
the mass important
concrete is veryfor concrete
important fordams as itdams
concrete leadsas cracks
it leads from the inside
crackspropagates
and water entry further from the inside
the and waterMass
cracks. entry concrete
further propagates the cracks.
temperature Mass
varies withconcrete
respect temperature
to ambient temperature
i.e. reduces duringvaries
winterwith respect to ambient temperature i.e. reduces during winter and increases in summer sea-
and increases in summer season. In addition, temperature of mass concrete is not much
son. In addition, temperature of mass concrete is not much affected due to rise in reservoir water
affected due to riselevel. The patternwater
in reservoir level.fairly
of isotherms The match
pattern ofcomputed
with isotherms fairly
pattern matchonwith
obtained computed
the basis of labora- pattern obtained
on the basis of laboratory
tory studiesstudies undertaken
undertaken earlier
earlier vide vide CWPRS
CWPRS Technical Technical
Report No. Report
3213 datedNo.01.01.1995.
3213 dated The01.01.1995. The
temperatures recorded within recorded
temperatures the damwithin
bodythe at dam
all locations
body at allare withinareallowable
locations limitslimits
within allowable as predicted during laboratory
as predicted
studies conducted during
at CWPRS laboratory studies
prior conducted at of
to construction CWPRS priorand
the dam to construction
the ambient of the
air dam and the ambient
temperature of theairnearby area. The
temperature of the nearby area. The maximum temperature rise does not pose any danger towards
maximum temperature cracking of the concrete on account of development of thermal stresses in the body of non overflowdevelopment of
rise does not pose any danger towards cracking of the concrete on account of
thermal stresses in blocks
the body of non
as well overflow
as spillway blocks
blocks. as well
There is notas spillway
much changeblocks. There isinside
in temperature not much
the dam change
body, in temperature
inside the dam body, which
which indicates
indicates concreteconcrete hasequilibrium
has attained attained equilibrium
and no further and no further
hydration of cementhydration of cement is taking
is taking place
causing any temperature
place causing any temperature rise. The
rise. The cyclic cyclic pattern
pattern of temperature
of temperature distribution
distribution in spillwayblocks
in spillway blocks during
dur- summer and
ing summer and winter seasons indicates development of equilibrium condition and completion of
winter seasons indicates development of equilibrium condition and completion of hydration process of cement in mass
hydration process of cement in mass concrete and eliminates any risk of thermal cracking of mass
concrete and eliminates any risk of thermal cracking of mass concrete.
concrete.

5.6 Stress
5.6 Stress
Measurement of stress during of
Measurement first filling
stress is very
during important
first filling is veryas this parameter
important is cyclicis and
as this parameter cyclicremains constant as per the
and remains
water variation. However
constant astheperanalysis
the waterhas begun However
variation. after first
thefilling hence
analysis measurement
has begun of stress
after first filling henceismeas-
related to base data
of 2003. Hence stress
urementparameter
of stress isisrelated
compared
to baseby compressive
data of 2003. Hence stress
stressobtained
parameterwith FEM model.
is compared Fig. 12 shows the
by compres-
sive stress
comparison of observed obtained
vertical with FEM model.
compressive stressFig. 12 shows
at El. 189.4 the
m comparison
and dam base of observed
duringvertical
the yearcompres-
2018 with computed
sive stress at El. 189.4 m and dam base during the year 2018 with computed minimum principal
minimum principalstressstress
fromfrom upstream
upstream to downstream
to downstream end. Theend. The computed
computed minimum
minimum principal principal
stresses stresses have been
have been
plotted for full width of the
plotted fordam at El.189.4
full width m. The
of the dam measured
at El.189.4 m. vertical compressive
The measured stresses arestresses
vertical compressive found are
to be less than the
values computed by Finite
found to beElement
less than Method
the valuesand remain
computed by within permissible
Finite Element Methodlimit. The structural
and remain behaviour of the dam
within permissible
based on measuredlimit. The compressive
vertical structural behaviour of the
stresses dam based
indicates on measured
normal vertical compressive
and comparable as per designstresses indi-
assumptions.
cates normal and comparable as per design assumptions.

Figure 12.Figure 12 : Comparison

Comparison of measured
of measured and and computedstress
computed stress using
using FEM
FEMat at
level 189.4
level 189.4
5.7 Strain
5.7 Strain
Measurement of strain is carried out by installing strain spiders which give strain in 0°, 45°, 90°, 135° and perpendicular
to the dam axis direction.
Measurement ofTostrain
account for the effect
is carried out byof temperature changespiders
installing strain on strain, five Nos.
which giveofstrain
No Stress Strain
in 0°, 45°,meters
90°,
135° and perpendicular to the dam axis direction. To account for the effect of temperature change
on strain, five Nos. of No Stress Strain meters7 (NSSM) have been installed in the vicinity of strain
meters in closed container. The results of No Stress Strain meter have been deducted from strain
meter results to obtain net strain. A typical variation of recorded net strain with time period is
 5.7 Strain
Measurement of strain is carried out by installing strain spiders which give strain in 0°, 45°, 90°,
135° and
Symposium on perpendicular to the dam axis
Sustainable Development direction.
of Dams To account
and River Basins,for24the
th effect of temperature
- 27th February, change
2021, New Delhi
on strain, five Nos. of No Stress Strain meters (NSSM) have been installed in the vicinity of strain
meters in closed container. The results of No Stress Strain meter have been deducted from strain
(NSSM) have beenresults
meter installed in the net
to obtain vicinity of A
strain. strain meters
typical in closed
variation container.netThe
of recorded results
strain withoftime
No Stress
periodStrain
is meter
have been deducted from strain
shown in Figure 13. meter results to obtain net strain. A typical variation of recorded net strain with time
period is shown in Figure 13.

Figure 13 : Typical variation of strain in Indira Sagar dam

Figure 13. Typical variation of strain in Indira Sagar dam
5.8 Foundation Settlement
5.8 Foundation Settlement
Foundation settlement is being measured by borehole extensometer at depth elevation El. 199.0 m below dam base.
Foundation
The measured settlementsettlement is being
is compared withmeasured
verticalby boreholeof
settlement extensometer at depth elevation
foundation calculated El. 199.0
by 2D stress m of dam
analysis
using FEM below dam base. The
by incorporating measured
certain settlement
portion is compared
of foundation in the with vertical settlement
mathematical of found
model. It is foundation cal- measured
that the
culated by is2D
foundation settlement stressacceptable
within analysis oflimits.
dam using FEM
A typical by incorporating
variation certain
of recorded portion
settlement of time
with foundation
period in
is shown in
Figure 14. the mathematical model. It is found that the measured foundation settlement is within acceptable
limits. A typical variation of recorded settlement with time period is shown in Figure 14.

Figure 14. Typical variation of settlement

Figure in Indira
14 : Typical variation Sagar damin Indira Sagar dam
of settlement

6. CONCLUSIONS
Dams are designed to impound or pass floods of specific magnitudes without compromising the water retention
integrity of the dam and foundation. Along with design and construction, monitoring of dam performance, is critical
6 concLuSionS
in maintaining safety of the dam. Use of instrumentation can improve the dam owner’s ability to monitor the on-going
performance
Dams areofdesigned
the dam by to providing
impound more comprehensive
or pass and timelier
floods of specific information
magnitudes (USSD).
without In this paper successful
compromising the
structural monitoring
water retention of Indira
integrity ofSagar
the damDamandconcrete dam using
foundation. Alongdam instrumentation
with has been discussed.
design and construction, Parameters
monitoring
likeofuplift
dampressure pore pressure,
performance, joint in
is critical movements, temperature
maintaining safety ofinside
the dam,
dam.stress,
Use ofstrain and foundation can
instrumentation settlement
im- are
being effectively
prove the dammonitored
owner’s and found
ability to within
monitorbaseline limits setperformance
the on-going as per BIS guidelines,
of the dam Laboratory studiesmore
by providing and based
on comprehensive
theoretical computations using FEM.
and timelier Detection
information of higherInuplift
(USSD). this accumulation at downstream
paper successful structuralside of block noof25 and
monitoring
subsequent identification
Indira Sagar of causedam
Dam concrete of leakage further
using dam justifies the usehas
instrumentation of dam
beeninstrumentation and analysis
discussed. Parameters of up-
like recorded
lift pressure pore pressure, joint movements, temperature inside dam, stress, strain and foundation
settlement are being effectively monitored and found within baseline limits set as per BIS guide-
lines, Laboratory studies and based on theoretical computations
8 using FEM. Detection of higher up-
lift accumulation at downstream side of block no 25 and subsequent identification of cause of leak-
age further justifies the use of dam instrumentation and analysis of recorded data. This monitoring
 Symposium on Sustainable Development of Dams and River Basins, 24th - 27th February, 2021, New Delhi

data. This monitoring programme also brought out the importance of cleaning of weep holes in case of controlling of
pore pressure and drain holes in the foundation gallery in controlling uplift pressure.

ACKNOLEDGEMENTS
Authors express their sincere thanks to the Dr. (Mrs.) V.V. Bhosekar, Director, CWPRS and Dr. M.R. Bhajantri for
guidance, encouragement and valuable suggestions during the preparations of the paper. Thanks are also due to Indira
Sagar Dam Authorities for awarding the studies to CWPRS, Pune since 2003.

REFERENCES
Concrete dam Instrumentation Manual.pdf
Dam Safety Bill 2019
Embankment Instrumentation Manual
Guidelines for instrumentation of large dams
EM 1110-2-1908,USACE
Encardiorite ONLINE MONITORING OF DAMS
ICOLD Bulletin 87, 1992
ICOLD Bulletin 60, 1988
Instrumentation of Dams, CBIP Publication 287
Safety Evaluation of Existing Dams
https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-deadliest-dam-failures-in-history
https://energyeducation.ca/encyclopedia/Dam_failures