A review of the history of alkali-aggregate reaction at three of the Tennessee Valley Authority`s dams

Conference · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:192154

Wagner, C D; Newell, V A ^[1]

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1. Tennessee Valley Authority, Chattanooga, TN (United States)

Three of The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) major hydroelectric projects are experiencing alkali-aggregate reaction (AAR), These projects include Fontana Dam and Powerhouse, Hiwassee Dam and Powerhouse, and Chickamauga Lock, Dam and Powerhouse, All of these dams are considered {open_quotes}high hazard,{close_quotes} causing significant economic losses from loss of power, replacement of the dam and generation facilities, and loss of life should they fail. This paper presents an overview of the descriptions of each of these projects, including construction and original instrumentation installed in the structure during construction, All of these projects are now 50 to 60 years old and are experiencing problems in one or more locations due to AAR with no indication of any slowing of the concrete growth process, Concrete problems at these projects came as no surprise. Cracks were noted within 5 years of construction, and by 1980 some of these cracks were 1/2 inch in width. continuous monitoring of these projects has always been a priority. This paper will discuss how the growth from AAR has affected each structure, which structures have been affected most, and why. It will discuss how TVA has managed AAR at these projects in the past and how TVA is changing from a reactive to a pro-active approach in its response to AAR.

• OSTI ID: 192154
• Report Number(s): CONF-9510182--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

13 HYDRO ENERGY
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CONCRETES
DAMS
HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
HYDROXIDES
STRESSES
TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY