Title:
Cavitation damage on the Karun Dam
Author(s):
Paul N. Hopping and Gary R. Mass
Publication:
Concrete International
Volume:
9
Issue:
3
Appears on pages(s):
41-48
Keywords:
cavitation; concrete dams; damage; epoxy resins; fibers; grinding (material removal); repairs; spillways; Construction
DOI:
Date:
3/1/1987
Abstract:
The Karun Dam project includes a chute spillway containing three 60 ft (18 m) wide bays. At the normal reservoir elevation of 1740 ft (530 m), the gross head at the flip bucket lip is about 426 ft (130 m). Seasonal flood releases in December 1977 resulted in severe cavitation damage to 7530 ftý (700 mý) of the concrete surface in the lower chute panels and bucket of all three bays. Paper describes the extent of cavitation damage, subsequent repairs performed during 1978 and 1979, and cavitation damages that have occurred following this repair. Causes of cavitation, rate of cavitation erosion, materials and construction methods used in repair, and techniques used to control surface smoothness are also discussed.