Despite challenges, Gibb successfully oversees refurbishment of Nalubaale Dam
Located 3km downstream from the source of the Nile River in Jinja, Uganda, the Nalubaale hydropower station’s first turbine unit was commissioned in 1954. Cracks were first noticed in the powerhouse structure in 1964. These were initially thought to be caused by an unprecedented rise in water levels in Lake Victoria, resulting in a rise of tailwater levels.
Later on, in the 1990s, alkali-aggregate reaction (AAR) was, however, identified as the cause of concrete deformations and cracks. In the meantime, cracks had also developed in the main dam wall and leakages from the reservoir were observed against the downstream face.
Between 1999 and 2000, the cracks in the concrete were injected with a cement-based grout, galleries were excavated from the downstream face of the dam, drainage holes were drilled inside the galleries and a roller compacted concrete (RCC) prop was built downstream to support the dam along the highest sections.
Leakages later became evident
The works were carried out with the reservoir operating at its normal operating level. The grouting works were considered to be effective, however some leakages became evident on the downstream face from 2014, indicating that this kind of repair had a limited service-life as long as the concrete kept on swelling due to AAR.
Gibb civil engineer Louiza van Vuuren says Eskom Uganda decided to implement a new grouting programme to improve the structural and functional integrity of the dam structure, awarding the contract for the design and supervision of the refurbishment works to Gibb in 2018. “In October 2020, a contractor was appointed to execute the refurbishment works as per our design and specifications.”
The grout method used by Gibb was based on the grouting intensity number (GIN). The acceptable pressures and volumes of grout injected were derived from stability calculations to avoid hydro-jacking of the dam’s concrete during grouting.
“The specifications stipulated that the pressures used for grout injection should be controlled with a pressure transducer, which is fitted to a grout pump equipped with an automatic data acquisition system (ADAS), capable of measuring, displaying, and recording data in real time,” explains Van Vuuren.
Large cracks detected
The contractor mobilised to site in December 2020, initially commencing with the drilling and grouting works on a trial section of the dam. This was to confirm or modify the grouting method (boundary curve, boreholes spacing, stop criteria, etc.); the grout mix design and grouting materials; as well as the equipment such as pumps, mixers, sensors and automated control devices, amongst others.
Primary holes were inspected with a borehole imaging device to establish typical crack elevations, directions and widths, and to inspect the mass concrete condition. This lead to the detection of large cracks of up to 17mm wide. Crest levelling surveys of the concrete blocks were also conducted to detect any evidence of hydro-jacking.
Due to the grout trial section taking longer than originally anticipated, the project experienced a slow start, compelling the contractor to increase the number of employees on site – as well as drilling equipment – to catch up with the planned schedule.
Van Vuuren says Uganda experienced a second wave of Covid-19 infections in June 2021, with some employees testing positive. “This resulted in further delays when employees had to be isolated and tested. The Ugandan Government also imposed lockdown measures, which resulted in challenges with obtaining grouting materials.”
Construction works successfully completed
Despite these delays, Van Vuuren says the practical completion of the drilling and grouting works was achieved before the original completion date of the contract and within the original budget.
“The successful implementation of the construction works was as a result of thorough planning, open lines of communication and team work from everyone involved. We worked together as a team with the client and the contractor and it was refreshing to know we could rely on one another. It was truly a great project to be involved in.”