Author(s): Fabiola Vera; Gonzalo Montilla; Arturo Marcano
Linked Author(s): Arturo Marcano G.
Keywords: Physical model; River closure; Cofferdam construction; Prototype; River diversion
Abstract: Tocoma Project on the Caroni River located at South-eastern Venezuela, currently under construction, will add 2160 MW to the Venezuelan electrical system in 2014. The first stage of river diversion, completed in April 2011, allowed the construction of the main works in the dry, while the Caroni River was diverted at the right bank. The second stage of river diversion consisted of routing the Caroni River through the 18 sluices of 5. 5x9 m located at the lower body of the spillway that will eventually be closed with gates, which will allow the filling of the reservoir and the commissioning tests of the first generating unit. In a Hydraulic Model Scale 1: 80 of Tocoma Project built in the facilities of the Hydraulics Laboratory of CORPOELEC, test were done to determine and optimize the best diversion scheme for the project, including the final closure of the river. The simple vertical closure (with one cofferdam) and the double vertical closure (with two cofferdams) schemes were tested. The model investigations permitted the definition of the double end dump closure as the best alternative, because of the reduction of the materials size during the closure. This paper presents the comparison of both methods and their evaluation based on the world experience methodology used in large river closure operations, and the prototype experience gained during Tocoma actual closure. It is demonstrated the invaluable usefulness of physical modelling to optimize the use of equipment and materials in large river closure works.
Year: 2013