RD 2011

CFRD 15

PUNTILLA DEL VIENTO DAM DESIGN

Luis San Martn M1, Marcela Quezada C2
1, Civil Engineer, SMI Ingenieros Ltda.
2, Civil Engineer, SMI Ingenieros Ltda

ABSTRACT
In 1960 the Direction of Hydraulic Works, Ministry of Public Works of Chile began the construction of the
Puntilla Del Viento Dam. Initially the construction of diversion tunnel was considered on the left bank of the
valley, which was aborted, leaving only part of the entrance and exit portal of the tunnel built. Excavations at the
portal of entry showed the massive presence of fluvial material, which made the excavation work and progress
very difficult.
In 2009 ran the re-study and project design. A detailed geological analysis was performed and conducted a series
of field surveys, especially drilling, which determined the presence of a paleoflow of 60 to 70 m depth on the
left side of the valley, as in 1960 year was being crossed by the works begun in the diversion tunnel. In this
situation, the construction of diversion tunnel on the right side of the valley was studied and decided. In addition,
the presence of a paleoflow forced to consider the construction of a diaphragm wall and an articulated
horizontal plinth near it.
Another project condition is the very high rate expected sedimentation coming in the reservoir which was
discussed extensively on sediment management techniques available. Finally, recommended the implementation
of a hydrodynamic and transport model of sedimentation, to evaluate the morphological effects expected over the
life of the reservoir. As an immediate step in the design stage is recommended to use the bottom discharge
system exclusively for the sediment purge and meet the demand for irrigation through another tunnel dedicated
for this purpose. This recommendation is consistent with the aims of the project, since it is desired long life
project, which shall not be affected in the short term effects of sediment deposition.
For the flood evacuation system had initially considered a frontal gated spillway in order to maximize the
volume of the reservoir. For technical reasons, such as risk in the operation, this view was changed by a side
channel non gated spillway, but with the possibility to place over the ogee a Rubber Dam, giving the possibility
to increase the storage capacity because of demand growing conditions and / or lowering effects capacity due to
expected sedimentation. The design condition is that being the inflated rubber dam is to generate a flow over the
weir as to maintain the original design conditions, in terms of peak water level and drainage capacity.

Key Words: Paleoflow, Articulated Plinth

1. INTRODUCTION
Puntilla Del Viento dam is located in the Aconcagua River in central Chile, at 970 masl. The
Aconcagua River has a snow-rain mixed regime. The basin has an area of 2,100 km2, of which 65%
corresponds to the snow component. The annual average flow of 31.0 m3/s.-The purpose of the work
is the accumulation of water to irrigate about 8,000 ha located downstream of the dam and making up,
together with 30,000 ha existing pole agricultural development in central Chile. Resources will be
dammed principally during the months of May to September, to be delivered regularly in the summer
season.
Geological and hydrological conditions in the area forced to make some special considerations in the
design of the works, details of which are presented below.

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2. PRINCIPAL CARACTERISTICS OF THE WORK

The main work of the reservoir is a compacted gravel fillings, which will be waterproofed through a
concrete screen disposed on the upstream face (CFGD Dam type)
The main characteristics of this dam can be summarized as follows:
Dam volume
Volume of fillings
Crest length
Upstream slope (H: V)
Concrete face volume
Diversion tunnel length
Lateral spillway length

: 112.000.000 m3
: 3.517.000 m3
: 400 m
: 1,5 : 1
:17.771 m3
: 630 m
: 214 m

Surface area
Total height
Crest width
Downstream slope (H: V)
Concrete face thickness
Tunnel design flow
Spillway design flow

: 345ha
: 107 m
: 10 m
: 1,6 : 1
:0,30-0,52m
: 330 m3/s
:2.273 m3/s

Figure No. 1 shows a diagram with the general layout of the works described above.

Fig. 1 Schematic arrangement of the dam

3. GEOLOGICAL-GEOTECHNICAL ASPECTS OF THE PROJECT
In the dams area appears volcanic, volcanic-clastic and sedimentary rocks with weak stratification,
which are partially covered by quaternary deposits of unconsolidated soils of different origin,
especially at the foot of the slopes and talus at the bottom of Aconcagua river valley area and side
creaks.
In the right or north abutment the rocks are partially covered by debris and some debris cones of side
canyons. This debris has a maximum thickness of 3m. The geotechnical quality analysis shows that
the layer of poor quality has a maximum capacity of 10m thickness. After that, a layer of medium
quality of 10 to 35m thickness appears. From this area develops a horizon of high geotechnical
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quality.
Left or south support exhibits a cross-slope stronger than the right support. These rocks are affected
by an incipient hydrothermal alteration, and generally have a moderate weathering. The geotechnical
analysis of quality shows that the layer of poor quality has a maximum thickness of 10m. After that, a
layer of medium quality of 15 to 50m thickness appears. From this area develops a horizon of high
geotechnical quality.
The central area corresponds to the alluvial plains and terraces of the valley of Aconcagua, which
present fluvial deposits in the dam zone corresponding to loose materials and permeable on surface
and a little more compact in depth. The profile of contact between soil and rock has a paleoflow that
reaches about 60m in depth, as shown in the profile of the figure No. 2 and No. 3 .- This situation
forced to make a detailed analysis of leakage below the dam and the consideration of an articulated
horizontal plinth .-

Dam axis
North paleoflow

South paleoflow

Figura N 2 : rock basement analysis

A static-dynamic analysis of the dam through the application of finite elements was performed. It was
determined that the maximum vertical settlements are on the order of 0.50 cm during the construction
and 2.0 m for design earthquake. The situations considered by the model correspond to the scene of
empty dam, which is the most unfavorable from the viewpoint of stability and vertical settlements.
Probabilistic analysis of seismic risk for the site of the dam gave maximum horizontal accelerations of
0.32 g with 10% probability of being exceeded in 100 years. From deterministic seismic hazard
analysis, was selected as design earthquake occurred on March 3, 1985, which hit central Chile and
was a magnitude 7.8 Richter.

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SUPERFICIAL LINE LAND

EL 981
ACTUAL RIVER BED

ESTIMATED ROCK LINE

EL 950
FLUVIAL DEPOSITS

EL 930
100 m

Fig. 3 Estimated rock profile in the dam area

4. PLINTH DESIGN
4.1. Left Right Support
Both, left and right abutments, considered the traditional design of a plinth. It was not considered in
the solution to build an internal plinth to reduce excavations because the rock has some degree of
fracturing, and a traditional injections solution was considered. This also led to the decision to
consider, in the upper part, a plinth of a minimum length of 3.5 m in length that would give room for
the execution of injections designed.
The layout of the plinth was a way of reducing the number of breaks, allowing defining a plinth for
the left side 6 vertices and 8 vertices for the right one. The plinth is anchored to the rock with 3 lines
of bolts (25 mm, 4.2 m), distributed symmetrically along the plinth. Figure No. 4 shows a schematic
layout of the concrete slab and the layout of the plinth and the table No. 1 the main features of it.
Plinth
1
2
3

Level (masl)
From
To
965
984
984
1030
1030
1067.5

RMR
estimated
60
63
47

Gradient
14
14
10

H mean
(m)
93
60
19

L plinth
(m)
7.0
5.0
3.5

Thickness
(m)
0.65
0.60
0.50

Table 1 Characteristics of the plinth, piecewise

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V14

Dam Axis

V1

V13
V2

V12
V11

V3
V4
V10
V5

V9
V6

V7

V8

Fig. 4 waterproofing screen and trace plinth

4.2. Horizontal Support

Due to the presence of a paleoflow on the river bed it was discussed extensively about the desirability
of considering whether or not the construction of a diaphragm wall, in whole or in part, considering
the difficulty that means
because of the shape of
paleoflow.
A
3D
numerical model was
developed, based on the
Visual MODFLOW code,
to estimate the expected
level of leakage under the
dam, in various forms of
operation. The estimated
permeability is about 10-4
m / s for the upper 10 m
thickness and 10-5 m / s in
the lower 50 m depth
approximately. The results
indicated that the levels of
leakage would be about 80
l / s to 120 l / s. From this
point of view a diaphragm
wall was not required, but
for safety reasons under
the stability point of view, a diaphragm wall, covering fully the current channel and partially old
course was designed.
Fig. 5 Molded wall in paleoflow

This diaphragm wall will have 0.80 m wide and consist of 2 sections. The first 5 m depth is going to
be constructed with reinforced concrete H20 since it will be subjected to shear stress due to the dam
construction and its first filling. The second tranche of 10 m depth will be built in concrete H-10
without reinforce. The total depth of the diaphragm wall is 15 m, closing completely the actual river
channel bed.
The horizontal plinth is supported over the diaphragm wall, and it will be articulated to allow greater
flexibility to absorb the possible differential displacements that may occur, the union between the
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diaphragm wall and the horizontal plinth will take place only when the fillings are placed or at least
one important part of them, so they have already produced the settlements and deformations expected
for construction.
It is proposed for this stretch a plinth full width of 7m, the same as that defined for the lateral plinths
at the bottom side, but sectorized in two tranches of 3.5 m each.

7.0 m
El 965.0

33.69

Small Diaphragm Wall

Flexible Joint

Fig. 6 Detail articulated horizontal plinth

4.2. Injections
To ensure better consolidation and above all a better waterproofing under the plinth, it was considered
to do the injections following the GIN method, using a maximum pressure of 5 to 10 kg/cm2 up to
15m depth and 30 kg / cm2 under 15 m depth. Initially considered a GIN value of 1,500 bar l / m and
the maximum volume of grout injected 300 l / m.
Consolidation Injections: 2 lines of consolidation Injections were designed to fill the rock surface
near the plinth 15 m depth. The holes are perpendicular to the plane of the body of the plinth, with
variable spacing according to the width of the plinth.
Waterproofing Injections: 3 types of waterproofing injections were designed according to the
following criteria:

Primary injection of 45 m long spaced 12 m each.

Secondary injections of 30 m in length, placed between two primary injections, thus leaving a
6m separation between them.
Tertiary injections of 15 m length, placed between a primary and a secondary, thus leaving 3
m apart from each other.

5. TUNNELS
It is usual in this type of project consider that in the diversion tunnel correspondent works are
implemented for the delivery of the regulated flow from the reservoir. However, in the case of this
project, this situation is addressed separately, because the considerations made in respect of the
expected high rates of sedimentation. Indeed, during the development of the project a lot of analysis
made on the amount of material deposition expected for the reservoir, with an estimated rate of about
820,000 m3/year. This means that within 50 years the dam would reduce its capacity in about 1 / 3.
There was extensive discussion on sediment management techniques available and applied in various
parts of the world, according to the characteristics of each work, taking into account the following:

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 Reducing the incoming load of sediment into the reservoir (management and sediment control in the
upper basin and / or construction of sediment retention dams upstream, build a bypass channel or
make side storage)
Management of sediments within the reservoir (sediment distribution to certain rules of operation of
the dam, dredging selective barriers of obstruction)
Evacuation of sediments from the reservoir (flushing, sluicing, density currents, dredging, dry
dredging, hydro suction)
Finally, the implementation of a hydrodynamic and sediment transport model was recommended to
evaluate the morphological effects expected over the life of the work. As an immediate step in the
design stage, it was recommended to use the bottom discharge system exclusively for the evacuation
of sediment and meet the demand for irrigation through other tunnel dedicated exclusively for this
purpose, as shown in Figure No. 7. In addition was required a third tunnel to provide access and
ventilation to the bottom discharge system.

El 1010.0
El 1000.0

Operation tunnel
Access tunnel

El 976.0

Diversion tunnel

Drainage

El |971.0

Fig. 7 Schematic layout of tunnels

This recommendation is consistent with the aims of the project, since it is desired a work to deliver
long life, which will not be affected in the short term effects of sediment deposition. Then the project
considered:
Projecting the diversion tunnel having in mind that in it be located the bottom discharges system, so
during the operation stage of the project can flushing finer material deposited in vicinity. For
reasons of access, operation and venting it meant to consider building a third tunnel for this purpose.
Projecting a tunnel to the work of delivery, separate from the above that happens to be 24 m higher
in elevation than the work of diversion. A modular grid was considered for the work. That is, if after
50 years of operation the sediment in the reservoir reaches levels close to the grid, it is possible to
seal with tiles the lower 5 m below the grid, there is still a 5 m stretch of bars that have the capacity
necessary to operate the system. This work provides a period of 5 years to decide to increase the
height of the tower or building a new one, probably connected the delivery tunnel with a shaft.
In the operational phase of the reservoir is necessary an accurate control of the sediments level into
the reservoir in order to know the effective deposition levels and define the necessary measures to
be taken (e.g. mechanical dredging).
In times of floods, operate the work of bottom discharge located in the diversion tunnel in order to
mobilize the material in suspension that comes with the flood.

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6. FLOOD EVACUATOR (SPILLWAY)

With regard to the work of flood evacuation, was initially considered frontal gated spillway 3 spans of
16 m height and 8 m width with the purpose to maximize the volume of the reservoir, since it is
restricted in its capacity due to the presence of other infrastructure in the floodplain area. Particular
importance is the existence of a feeder canal for hydroelectric Chacabuquito that develops from the
left bank of the valley that surrounds the area of inundation of the dam, whose level cannot be
exceeded. This means that the maximum water level that can reach the reservoir is the elevation 1069
meters above sea level.
For technical reasons and risk in the operation, this point of view was changed by a side channel
spillway, 214 m length. In order to maintain the possibility to increase the reservoir volume in 12 Hm3
approximately, was conceived the idea of leaving the threshold conditions for later in a 2nd stage, if
required, to place over the ogee a rubber dam system which will increase the reservoir capacity, as
shown in Figures No. 8 and No. 9 .-

Future piers to anchor

rubber dam

214 m

Instrumentation stall

Fig. 8 Spillway disposal to implement rubber dam

On the initial stage, the design of the work is addressed in the traditional way, by defining a profile of
evacuation as shown in Figure No. 10. - Subsequently, the design considers the presence of the rubber
dams and in this situation the condition design being imposed with non inflated rubber dam to
generate a flow over the weir maintaining the original design conditions, in terms of maximum water
level and discharge capacity.

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Anchoring piers for rubber dam (Stage2)

66 m

70 m

214 m

Instrumentation Stall

70 m

Fig. 9 Longitudinal spillway profile with piers available for rubber dam

The main considerations taken into account are:

For normal conditions of operation, when the water level is over the original spillway level, the
rubber dam should be maintained inflated to ensure the required regulatory capacity in the
reservoir.
Upon the occurrence of a flood that exceeds the upper level of the rubber dam, it must be deflated to
allow increased hydraulic head and with it the ability to evacuate.
For safety, the control mechanism of the rubber dam will have a warning system. If the level of the
rubber dam is exceeded (e.g. 20 cm) and has not begun the process of deflating the mechanism
should aim to make the deflated automatically, keeping alert.
The implementation of the rubber dam at a later time should not affect the operation of the collector
channel and the chute.
The rubber dam should be installed over a horizontal concrete base wide enough to place anchoring
systems, leaving a bridge inspection structure. Figure No. 11 shows the threshold of the evacuator
modified to have the rubber dam.
It is considered small flood evacuation without deflating the rubber dam because this structure
allows to be overrun with a water head up to 40% of its nominal diameter, operating without any
problems. (This condition is verified at a later stage, once defined and agreed upon basic design
conditions of this work).
The design considers the presence of 2 or 3 intermediate piers, which are anchored to the rubber,
why should be considered a decrease in the effective length of the original spillway.
The design of the piers will consider conical shapes, with the aim of reducing losses caused by the
presence of these elements.

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Fig. 10 Overflow crest original situation

Fig. 11 Overflow crest modified

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