Scoping study on the need for additional research on reservoir conduits
Investigating the need for new guidance on reservoir conduits. This study examined whether new guidance on maintaining reservoir conduits would help reduce the number of failures and serious incidents.
Documents
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Details
The draft Defra ‘Reservoir Safety Research Strategy’ (2008) recognised that there have been several reported incidents and failures of dams as a result of defects in conduits.
This study reviewed the available guidance on managing reservoir conduits, to consider whether further research or guidance is needed about how to inspect, monitor, maintain and repair conduits in UK reservoirs.
Findings
The study found that while the mechanics of how failure happens are well understood, there is a lack of focused information about this specific issue. A new guidance document that brings together all the information about conduits in one place would help professionals identify defects in conduits early. It would also help to reduce the risk of dams failing.
This project started in 2008 and was completed in 2009.