EL QUIMBO DAM

摘要

The Quimbo Dam site presents unique geological and topographic characteristics, previously not dealt by a major Concrete Face Rockfill Dam (CFRD), at least to the knowledge of the authors. Very triable sandstones of tertiary age combine with a very narrow and short canyon to produce a challenging site for the implantation of a 151 m high dam. Several dam types were analyzed and CFRD constituted the only one deemed acceptable for this unique site. It required the combination of RCC technology as well as the extension of the concrete face to cover the very narrow abutment containing clearly visible open fractures filled with erodable material, providing an economical solution for the development of this hydropower scheme in Colombia.