Mangdecchu Hydroelectric Power Plant was one such project which was handled by Encardio-rite. Let's discuss the project overview and Encardio's scope of work for the same.
Dams are an integral part of our infrastructure as they provide us with many gains like water, power, flood control, and recreation. However, it is important to have a working monitoring system to ensure their safe and reliable construction and operation. Dam failure can be caused by overtopping, foundation problems, structural problems, and piping (internal erosion due to seepage). An effective monitoring program, these causes can be detected early and repaired or mitigated.Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project- OverviewLocated on the Mangdechhu River in Trongsa Dzongkhag District, central Bhutan, the Mangdecchu hydroelectric project is a 720MW run-of-river power plant developed by the Indian Government and the Royal Government of Bhutan, Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project Authority (MHPA). It is one of the 10 hydroelectric projects decided by the joint initiative of both the government. The project, which started in 2012, comprises of 101.5 m high concrete gravity dam, two intake tunnels of 196 m and 150 m length each, and a 13.54 km long headrace tunnel capable of discharging 118m³ of water per second. Using two steel-lined pressure shafts of 1,853 m in length and 3.5 m in diameter, water is supplied to the underground powerhouse, with its main cavern being 53 m high and 231 m long.Encardio-rite Turnkey Services for Mangdechhu Hydroelectric ProjectEncardio-rite was associated with the Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project by monitoring of dam, desilting chamber, pressure shafts, powerhouse, adits, surge shaft, and adits. It was responsible for the supply and monitoring of geotechnical instruments required for the projects, along with installation services and online monitoring of crucial areas and criterion. Geotechnical Instruments used in the Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project
This geotechnical instrument is used to measure pore pressure in soils, embankments, standpipes, boreholes, earth fills, etc. Here it was used to monitor the uplift pressure below the dam and the water pressure in the body of the dam.
Strain Meter is used to measure the strain in concrete structures usually associated with tunnels, bridges, dams, foundations, etc. For the Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project, it was used to monitor the stress in concrete structures.
Encardio-rite displacement sensor is designed to measure linear displacement by displaying mechanical motions as readable electrical signals. Here, the instrument was used to monitor linear movement between the block joints.
A borehole extensometer is used to measure the deformation of rock mass and the surrounding soil. During the monitoring phase of the project, multi-point and single point borehole extensometer were used to observe deformations.
Load cells are used with strain gauges and provide the measure of the force as an electrical output. Anchor boat load cells were used to provide determine the load on anchors.
These were installed to quantify the seepage water that is gathered in drainage channels.
These were installed on-site to receive data from the sensors, converting them into meaningful parameters for monitoring.
These were installed to keep an eye on the earth accelerations affected due to reservoir seismicity.
These were used to observe the tilt of the dam.
These systems were used to efficiently convey the data for clear understanding to the client.
Apart from these Geotechnical Instruments, Encardio-rite also specializes in world class inclinometer, tilt meters, sensors, data loggers, telemetry & web data monitoring systems, along with an impressive after sales service. Coming to the end of it, the Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project project was estimated to generate 2,923GW/h of electricity and neutralise 2.2Mt of CO‚ from the atmosphere every year.Currently, the electricity generated by the hydropower project fulfils the energy requirement of Bhutan, while the access is exported to India.
