Chapter 9

INSTRUMENTATION

9.1 Introduction

Dams are expected to safely withstand all loading conditions for the design life of the project and
beyond. Any sudden or unplanned release of stored water can result in loss of life and property.
Potential loss of life, property damage, and the public welfare require a means to evaluate the
performance and safety of a dam during construction, during reservoir filling and during project
operation. Reasons for installing instrumentation in dams and their foundations include:

• Diagnostic, including
o Verifying design assumptions,
o Verifying suitability of new construction techniques,
o Understanding the specific nature of an adverse event, and
o Verifying continued satisfactory performance.

• Predictive reasons include the ability to make informed and valid predictions of the future
behavior of the dam based upon the collected data.

• Legal reasons include availability of valid instrumented data for use in evaluating damage
claims arising from dam construction or project operation.

• Research, including
o Using available instrumentation and performance data to improve future design
features and concepts,
o Developing advances in construction techniques, and
o Assisting in a better understanding of failure mechanisms.

A well-constructed CFRD, using compacted rockfill or gravel fill, on a stable foundation is

recognized as a fundamentally safe structure. The rate of leakage through some CFRDs
exceeded the rate estimated by the designers and/or the rate acceptable to the owners, however,
the fundamental safety of the dam was not in question. Instrumentation installed in CFRDs is
oriented towards:

• Confirming the expected behavior,

• Identifying potential problem areas,
• Diagnosing problems when they do occur, and
• Promoting improvements to the design features and details of future CFRDs.

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 9.2 Limitations

The design of a CFRD at any given site depends on a thorough understanding of foundation
conditions and the materials available for use in the body of the dam. Past performance of
CFRDs and lessons learned from the performance history at other sites with similar conditions
are important elements that contribute to the successful design, construction, and operation of a
CFRD. During this evolutionary process, improvements have been made to the techniques
available to instrument and monitor the dam. Monitoring of dam behavior using instrumentation
provides knowledge of why dams behave the way they do, but monitoring alone does not provide
complete understandings. Regular visual inspections and evaluations by qualified observers add
to the understanding of the performance of the dam.

But, there are limitations to what can be instrumented, measured, and observed. It is not possible
to place instruments at all locations that later may become critical. Measurements may be taken
on an irregular schedule or not at all. Data may be recorded but not evaluated. In some
instances, an overwhelming amount of data is collected such that important measurements are
overlooked. In time, instruments fail and are not replaced. The instrumentation array, the
frequency of readings, the methods used to record, plot and evaluate data, and the need to replace
or add instruments should be reviewed in detail every five years. This review should also
include a detailed visual inspection of the dam, foundations, and abutments, an evaluation of
maintenance and operation, and an analysis of the overall dam and reservoir performance with
respect to fundamental safety of the dam.

9.3 Instrumentation Systems

The quantity, type and location of instruments depend on design and construction concerns,
experience, and common sense; there are no specific guidelines. Generally, the following factors
govern the design of the instrumentation system:

• Purpose or need for the instrument,

• Reliability, short term and long term,
• Low maintenance requirements,
• Compatibility with construction,
• Low cost and ease of installation,
• Simplicity,
• Ruggedness.

Considering the above factors, an adequate and cost effective instrumentation installation at a
new dam will approximate one percent or less of the total construction cost of the dam.

Parameters that are commonly monitored and instrument types are listed in Table 9-1.

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 Table 9-1
Instruments and Measurements

Property Measured Measurement Location Typical Instruments

Surface monument, Total

Crest, slope or other location
Alignment station, Laser, GPS,
of interest
Geodimeter
All points of interest within Strain gage, Inclinometer,
Deformation or
the dam, foundation, and Settlement cell, Electro-level,
Internal Movement
abutments Extensometers

Opening or Crack Joints of concrete surface Joint meter, Crack meter

Within the dam, foundation,

Water Pressure Piezometer, Observation well
and abutments

Within the galleries, toe of the

Weir, flume, flow meter or
Rate of Leakage Flow dam and any other location of
calibrated container
interest

Quality of Leakage Any location of interest Turbidity meter

Peak acceleration recorder,

Dam crest, toe of dam and
Earthquake Response Strong motion accelerometer,
abutments
Microseismic Station

Instruments in common use today include:

• Piezometers, mainly the open standpipe and the vibrating-wire piezometer, to measure
water pressure at a specific location, generally within the foundation,
• Weirs to measure the rate of leakage through the dam and its foundation,
• Inclinometers, electro-levels, joints meters, settlement cells, bench marks and
extensometers to measure deformation, settlement and movement.

Several of these instrument types are described below.

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Piezometers

Piezometers are used to monitor the groundwater level and pore water pressure within the dam
embankment and/or its foundation. In a CFRD, piezometers are typically installed in the
abutments and in the foundation, and not normally within the body of the embankment unless
non free-draining materials, such as rockfill or gravel fill with substantial amounts of sand and
silt size particles are used.

Weirs

A weir, flume or other flow-measuring device provides immediate information regarding the
performance of the dam. Weirs are placed in strategic locations to measure leakage through the
dam and through the abutments and foundation. Overall performance of the dam with respect to
leakage can be measured by means of a weir at the downstream toe of the dam. Automated
sensing of weir levels and remote read-out of data is encouraged in situations, where monitoring
of leakage is critical.

Settlement cells

Settlement cells, both hydraulic and electric, are used to monitor the settlements that take place
within the embankment during construction, reservoir filling, and project operation. Evaluation
of settlement data during construction is useful when comparing the performance of the dam to
other projects with similar materials. Face deformation during reservoir filling can be estimated
using empirical relationships based on analyses of settlement data (see Chapter 2).

Electro-levels

In addition to the inclinometer, the electro-level is currently being used to monitor the
deformation of the face slab during construction, during reservoir filling and during project
operation. In several recent dams, the electro-level has replaced the inclinometer for monitoring
the face slab deformation. The electro-level consists of a glass capsule partially filled with an
electrolytic fluid, commercially known as gravity sensing electrolytic potentiometers. Three or
four electrodes penetrate the capsule and are used to measure electric resistance through the
fluid. Angular rotations of the electro-levels are monitored as change in the electrical resistance
between the electrodes forming a half Wheatstone bridge as shown in Figure 9-1.

When the unit is tilted, the electrolytic fluid moves due to gravity, increasing the electrical
resistance to one electrode and decreasing the resistance to the other. The relation between
rotation and output voltage is obtained by means of a calibration procedure. Individual readings
for each electro-level are plotted against distance along the plane of the face slab. Using the
measured readings, a polynomial curve is obtained by a curve fitting procedure. The resulting
polynomial curve is integrated to obtain a continuous deflection curve. The electro-level has the
following advantages:

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 • The instrument can be installed easily,
• Data collection is rapid, and
• The instrument can be installed on any steepness of slope,

Significantly, the electro-level can be installed and read as soon as the concrete slab is poured.
This allows early collection and evaluation of face deformation during construction. A typical
installation is shown in Figure 9-3.

5 volts AC input across 1 and 3 / Signal output 2 and 4

2
Power supply

AC Amp
Voltmeter
2

1 3 4
1
Simulated E-L
Amplifier

32 mm

2 3
1 2 2 3 1 2
Figure 9-1 Electro-level schematic layout (Wu, et al, 2000)

Joint Meters

Both mechanical and electrical joint meters are available to monitor the joint opening of the
concrete slabs. In CFRDs, commonly, electrical joint meters are used. One-dimensional joint
meters are used to monitor the joint opening between the concrete face slabs across vertical
joints, although two-dimensional joint meters are occasionally used to monitor the lateral and
shear movement of the joints. Three-dimensional joint meters are normally used in the perimeter
joints to monitor the joint opening in the perpendicular, parallel and tangential directions.

Accelerometers

There are two types of accelerometers available, peak accelerometer and strong motion
accelerometer. The peak accelerometer is used to monitor only the peak response while the
strong motion type is used to continuously record the seismic response. The strong motion
accelerometer is used in areas of high seismicity and is operated by solar or electric power.
Depending on the sensitivity of the accelerometers, strong motion accelerometers can be used to

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monitor low seismic activity, such as that triggered by the reservoir impoundment. They are also
equipped with self-contained recording capability. In areas of low seismicity, installing a simple
low-cost peak acceleration recorder is sufficient.
101.5
A 5
ø40

6.35
6.35 120
1
1 2
16
1 6.35

95
6.35

63.5
5
4 3
3

A 32
134
10

Dimensions in mm
1 Brass cylinder
2 Watertight gland
3 Bolts holding instrument to concrete slab
4 Clamping bar
5 Separate cover and bolts holding it to concrete

Figure 9-2. Electro-level mounting bolted to the Concrete Slab (Penman, 2000)

9.4 Case Histories

Tianshengqiao 1

Tianshengqiao 1 (TSQ1), in China, was completed in 1999. At a height of 178 m, TSQ1 is the
tallest CFRD in Asia. The rockfill embankment was constructed in seven stages; the concrete
face slab was constructed in three stages. The reservoir was impounded simultaneously with
dam construction. The dam has a crest width of 12 m, a 5 m high upstream parapet wall, and a
cross section typical of other CFRDs. Because of its height and staged construction, TSQ1 was
extensively monitored during construction, reservoir filling and project operation. A total of 620
instruments were installed, the type and quantity of instruments are summarized in Table 9.2.
The instrument array at the maximum section of the dam is shown in Figure 9-2. During the first
two years of operation, a relatively small failure rate of 5.3% was experienced.

Settlement Cells. Hydraulic settlement cells were installed at four levels within the
embankment to monitor settlement during construction and reservoir filling.

Horizontal Extensometer. Invar wire extensometers were installed within the embankment to
monitor horizontal deformation. These instruments were installed at the same levels as the
settlement cells.

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 Table 9-2
Tianshengqiao 1 – Instrumentation Array

Location Instrument Type Quantity

Settlement Cell 50
Horizontal Extensometer 31
Total Pressure Cell 28
Rockfill Embankment Single Joint Meter 27
Piezometer 34
Seepage Measuring Weir 3
Standpipe Water Level Meter 19
Electro-level 64
3-D Joint Meter 36
Single Joint Meter 26
Strain Meter 84
Concrete Face No-Stress Strain Meter 15
Steel Bar Stress Meter 76
Thermometer 27
Stainless Steel Pins (joint 33
movement)
Crest and Slope Surface Monuments 67

Figure 9-3.
TSQ 1 Construction Sequence and Instrumentation at Maximum Section (Wu, et al, 2000)

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Total Pressure Cells. Total pressure cells, in eight groups, were installed at the maximum cross
section to monitor the internal stresses within the embankment. The cells were oriented such that
the stresses in both vertical and horizontal (normal to the dam axis) could be measured. In the
transition zone beneath the concrete face, pressure cells were installed to monitor stresses in the
vertical and horizontal (normal to the dam axis) direction and normal and parallel to the
upstream slope. Pressure cells were also installed at the contact between the face slab and the
Zone 2B beneath the slab.

Electro-levels. Electro-levels were installed at a spacing of about 10 to 15m at the maximum

section in the valley and at two abutment sections. The instruments were installed within about
seven days after placing the concrete slab. Cables were laid in a trench about 5 cm deep
constructed during the slip forming of the face slab. The cables were then routed to the
instrument house located on the dam crest. After initial readings were taken and checked,
electro-levels were enclosed in a 200 mm x 200 mm x 200 mm concrete box.

Single Joint Meters. In the abutments where the vertical face slab joints are expected to open
in tension zones, electrical single joint meters were installed to monitor the joint opening.

3-D Joint Meters. Electrical 3-D joint meters were installed along the perimeter joints to
monitor the joint movement. The joint meters were oriented to monitor joint opening
(movement normal to joint), settlement (movement normal to the concrete face), and shear
(movement parallel to joint). Each meter consisted of two gages with a measuring range of 200
mm to measure opening and settlement at the joint, and a third gage with a measuring range of
100 mm to measure shearing movement.

Surface Monuments. Monuments were installed at the crest and side slopes to monitor the
surface settlement of the embankment. One line of surface monuments was installed on the crest
and side slope for each phase of the concrete slab.

Seepage Measuring Weir. Seepage measuring weirs were installed at the downstream toe to
measure the total seepage through the dam and foundation.

Aguamilpa Dam

Aguamilpa Dam, in Mexico, currently holds the distinction of the highest operating CFRD in the
world at a maximum height of 186 m. The embankment upstream consists of compacted sand
and gravel while the embankment downstream consists of compacted rockfill. The dam has a
crest width of 12 m and a 5 m high parapet wall. The main focus of the instrumentation was to
monitor the embankment deformation, face slab deformation, joint opening, leakage and seismic
response. Embankment intrumentation is located at three cross sections, at the maximum cross
section in the valley, and one on each abutment. A total of 676 instruments were installed; a
summary of the location, type, and quantity are listed in Table 9-3.

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 Table 9-3
Aguamilpa CFRD List of Instruments

Location Instrument Type Quantity Remarks

Hydraulic Settlement Cell 82

Inclinometer 6
Horizontal Extensometer 36
Rockfill Total Pressure Cell 78
Embankment Pneumatic Piezometer 14
Seepage Measuring Weir 15 Located in the gallery and at the
downstream toe
Standpipe Piezometer 27 Located in the abutments and toe
Inclinometer 4 On top of concrete face slab
3-D Joint Meter-Electric 19 Perimeter joint
Concrete 2-D Joint meter-Electric 1 Perimeter joint
Face Single Joint Meter-Electric 35 Perimeter joint
Mechanical Joint Meter 45 Located at vertical joints on face slab
and parapet wall
Crest and Surface Monuments 301 161 temporary monuments to monitor
Slope construction movement, and 140
permanent monuments
Crest and Accelerometer 13 2 on the crest, 5 on each abutment,
Abutment one in the free field

9.5 References

ASCE Task Committee on Instrumentation and Dam Monitoring Performance, “Guidelines for
Instrumentation and Measurements for Monitoring Dam Performance”, ASCE American
Society of Civil Engineers, Reston, Virginia, 2000.

Bartholomew, Charles, L., Murray, Bruce, C., and Goins, Dan, L., Embankment Dam
Instrumentation Manual, A Water Resources Technical Publication, United States
Department of the Interior (Bureau of Reclamation), January 1987.

Gonzalez-Valencia, F. and Mena-Sandoval, E., “Aguamilpa Dam Behaviour”, Seventeenth

Annual USCOLD Lecture Series, Non-Soil Water Barrier for Embankment Dams, United
States Society on Dams, pp. 133-147, San Diego, California, April 1997.

Hacelas, Jorge, E., Ramirez, Carlos, A. and Regalado Guillermo, “Construction and Performance
of Salvajina Dam”, Concrete Face Rockfill Dams-Design, Construction and

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 Performance, J. B. Cooke and J. L. Sherard, Editors, ASCE, Detroit, October, 1985, pp.
286-315.

Macedo-Gomez, G., Castro-Abonce, J. and Montanez-Cartaxo, L., “Behavior of Aguamilpa

Dam”, J. Barry Cooke Volume, Concrete Face Rockfill Dams, Beijing, 2000, pp 117-151.

Penman, A, and Filho, P. R., “Instrumentation for CFRD Dams”, J. Barry Cooke Volume,
Concrete Face Rockfill Dams, Beijing, 2000.

Wu, G. Y., Freitas, M. S. Jr., Araya, J. A. M., Huang, Z. Y. and Mori, R. T., “Tianshengqiao-1
CFRD – Monitoring & Performance – Lessons & New Trends for Future CFRDs
(China)”, CFRD 2000, Proceedings, International Symposium on Concrete Faced
Rockfill Dams, 18 September 2000, Beijing, China, pp 573-585.

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