Condition and control of the thermal-filtration regime of northern rock-and-earthfill dams constructed in accordance with the thaw principle

Characteristic specific features of the thermal regime of the “dam-bed” system are examined. __________ Translated from Gidrotekhnicheskoe Stroitel’stvo, No. 2, February 2008, pp. 54–58.     

Operation of the dam of the Bureiskaya HPP during filling of the reservoir

Operation of the dam in a transitional mode is described. __________ Translated from Gidrotekhnicheskoe Stroitel’stvo, No. 1, January 2006, pp. 8–15.     

Verification of the earthquake resistance of the arch-gravity dam of the Sayano-Shushenskaya HPP using the body of mathematics of the three-dimensional nonlinear wave theory of earthquake resistance

Analyses are presented for verification of the earthquake resistance of a dam. __________ Translated from Gidrotekhnicheskoe Stroitel’stvo, No. 4, April 2008, pp. 30–35.     

Standardization of the strength of large-lump soils

The law governing variation in soil properties is examined. Translated from Gidrotechnicheskoe Stroitel‘stvo, No. 2, February 2009, pp. 4–12.     

Substantiation of the Strength and Stability of Concrete Dams Based on the Solution of a Nonlinear Three-Dimensional Problem

An analysis of methods of nonlinear computation of concrete dams is presented, which makes it possible to determine the margin of the bearing capacity of the “structure – foundation” system. __________ Translated from Gidrotekhnicheskoe Stroitel'stvo, No. 5, May 2005, pp. 42 – 45.     

Assessment of the condition of the building housing the machine room at the Sayano-Shushenskaya HPP from results of trial dynamic tests

Different combinations of loads on structural components of the machine room are analyzed. Translated from Gidrotekhnicheskoe Stroitel’stvo, No. 11, November 2008, pp. 44–51.     

Decision Support for the Selection of Measures according to the Requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive

One major scientific challenge posed by the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) is the design of a decision support process that meets the Directive’s requirement to achieve “good status” for all water bodies using a cost-effective combination of measures. This paper presents BASINFORM, a new decision methodology for selecting cost-effective management measures, developed in close co-operation with the water authorities and tested in the 5,154 km2 mesoscale river Weisse Elster in central Germany. BASINFORM comprises (i) a procedure for framing the specific problems in the water bodies, including quantification of the need for action, (ii) modelling tools for quantifying the impacts of management measures, and (iii) a method for selecting cost-effective combinations of measures. One innovative feature of BASINFORM is that it structures the complex decision problems appropriately for practical use and provides an easy-to-use framework for integrating scientific and practical knowledge. A trial run applying BASINFORM to the Weisse Elster catchment revealed that good surface water status with respect to nutrient levels cannot be achieved if only the “standard” actions of current water management are taken to reduce point sources (sewage treatment) and diffuse agricultural sources. It also became clear that the nutrient-reduction measures available will generate considerable costs. The application of BASINFORM in this case study demonstrated its practical applicability in the WFD implementation process. Beyond the case study described here BASINFORM is currently being used for practical implementation of the WFD in the German Federal State of Thuringia.     

Adaptation to Climate Change in the Management of a Canadian Water-Resources System Exploited for Hydropower

The management adaptation potential of the Peribonka River water resource system (Quebec, Canada) is investigated in the context of the evolution of climate change. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impacts on hydropower, power plant efficiency, unproductive spills and reservoir reliability due to changes in the hydrological regimes. The climate change projections used here are from the Canadian regional climate model (CRCM) nested by the Canadian-coupled global climate model (CGCM3) forced with the SRES A2 greenhouse gas emission scenario. The hydrological regimes were simulated with the distributed hydrological model Hydrotel. They were incorporated into a dynamic and stochastic optimization model in order to adapt the operating rules of the water resource system annually, according to the evolution of the climate. The impacts were analyzed over the years 1961–2099, split into four periods for comparison purposes: control period (1961–1990), horizon 2020 (2010–2039), horizon 2050 (2040–2069) and horizon 2080 (2070–2099). The main results indicate that annual mean hydropower would decrease by 1.8% for the period 2010–2039 and then increase by 9.3% and 18.3% during the periods 2040–2069 and 2070–2099, respectively. The trend to increase is statistically significant starting from 2061 (Mann–Kendall with p = 5%). The change in the mean annual production is statistically significant for the 2040–2069 and 2070–2099 periods (t-test with p = 5%). Also, the change in the variance is significant for the periods 2010–2039, 2040–2069 and 2070–2099 (F-test). Annual mean unproductive spills would increase from 1961–2099, but the trend is not statistically significant. However, the changes in the variance of the annual mean spills are significant in the periods 2010–2039, 2040–2069 and 2070–2099. Overall, the reliability of a reservoir would decrease and the vulnerability increase as the climate changes.     

Analytical investigations of the performance of the dam at the Sayano-Shushenskaya HPP during an annual load cycle

A model is developed for determination of radial displacement of the dam. __________ Translated from Gidrotekhnicheskoe Stroitel’stvo, No. 6, pp. 9–13, June, 2006.     

Computational model for evaluation and prediction of the condition of the dam at the Sayano-Shushenskaya HPP

The model proposed can be used to solve in-service problems of structures. Translated from Gidrotekhnicheskoe Stroitel’stvo, No. 11, November 2008, pp. 64–69.     

Estimation of the safety of operation of the Skhodnenskaya HPP with allowance for the engineering-geological conditions

The suggested method of model computation can be used for developing criteria of seepage safety. __________ Translated from Gidrotekhnicheskoe Stroitel’stvo, No. 3, March 2006, pp. 45–47.     

Wave formation in the lower pool of the Bureya hydroproject

Results are presented for a model study of wave formation in the lower pool of a hydroproject. __________ Translated from Gidrotekhnicheskoe Stroitel’stvo, No. 10, October 2007, pp. 43–47.     

Computer model for flood control in the middle-run of the Belaya River

Placement of a computer model in service for runoff control is examined. __________ Translated from Gidrotekhnicheskoe Stroitel’stvo, No. 2, February 2008, pp. 60–64.     

Experience in the use of bentonite-cement concrete for repairing the core of the earthfill dam of Kureiskaya HPP

The quality of bentonite-cement concretes is evaluated with allowance for their special properties. __________ Translated from Gidrotekhnicheskoe Stroitel’stvo, No. 2, February 2006, pp. 2–8.     

Seismic observations in the geodynamic proving at the Sayano-Shushenskaya HPP

Results of seismic observations of the dam indicated that its resonance vibrations do not correspond to the basic operating frequency of the generating sets. __________ Translated from Gidrotekhnicheskoe Stroitel’stvo, No. 7, July 2007, pp. 42–51.     

Comparability Analyses of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">SPI</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">RDI</Emphasis> Meteorological Drought Indices in Different Climatic Zones

Comparability analyses are performed to investigate similarities/differences of the standard precipitation index (SPI) and the reconnaissance drought index (RDI), respectively, utilizing precipitation and ratio of precipitation over potential evapotranspiration (ET ₀). Data are from stations with different climatic conditions in Iran. Drought characteristics of the 3-month, 6-month and annual SPI and RDI time series are developed and Markov chain order dependencies are investigated by the Log-likelihood, AIC and BIC tests. Steady state probabilities and Markov chain characteristics, i.e., expected residence time in different drought classes and time to reach “Near Normal” class are investigated. According to results, both indices exhibit an overall similar behaviour; particularly, they follow the first order Markov chain dependency. However, climatic variability may produce some differences. In several cases, the “Extremely Dry” class has received a more critical value by RDI. Furthermore, the expected residence time of “Near Normal” class and expected time to reach “Near Normal” class are quite different in a number of cases. The results show that the RDI by utilizing the ET ₀ can be very sensitive to climatic variability. This is rather important, since if the drought analyses are for agricultural applications, utilization of the RDI would seem to serve a better purpose.     

Near-bottom density current during selective draw-off from the upper pool of the Istra Reservoir

Circulation due to wind-generated pile-up contributes to effective flow regulation. __________ Translated from Gidrotekhnicheskoe Stroitel’stvo, No. 8, August 2007, pp. 42–48.     

Cleaning the Zakharkovo quarry of technogenic sediments from the Rublevo water-works plant by hydromechanization

A method is given for the cleaning of water bodies silted by pipeline sediment. __________ Translated from Gidrotekhnicheskoe Stroitel’stvo, No. 7, July 2007, pp. 14–16.     

Regulation of the thermal regime of the water course in the lower pool of HPP on Siberian rivers

Effective methods are proposed for regulation of the thermal regime of the water courses in the lower pools of HPP. __________ Translated from Gidrotekhnicheskoe Stroitel’stvo, No. 4, April, 2007, pp. 10–18.     

Increasing the efficiency of the power stations of JSC “Mosénergo”

The work of the JSC“All-Russian Institute of Thermal Technology (JSC “VTI”) on electrical power stations of the “Mosénergo” power system is described. Two vital questions have arisen in the course of this work: ensuring the functionality and reliable operation of equipment which has outlived its design lifetime and refitting the power stations to enhance their performance, reduce their environmental impact, and improve their operational characteristics in accord with the demands of the 21^st century. __________ Translated from élektricheskie Stantsii, No. 11, November 2007, pp. 73–78.