The Robert-Bourassa hydroelectric facility owned by Hydro-Quebec is a component of the Grande Rivière hydropower complex, which produces 17,445 MW. The hydropower facility consists of two powerhouses, a spillway, 29 dikes, a main dam, and a reservoir. The spillway has eight bays which four are heated gates. The water's kinetic energy is released in a stilling basin at the base of the spillway once it has passed through the gates. During the construction period, the spillway was in service continuously from 1979 to 1981. Once the powerhouse was in service, the spillway was closed. Later inspections shown damages in the basin including the spillway concrete apron. It was determined that the incorrect gate operation caused a high turbulence flow in the basin that triggered an erosion process. Tests conducted in the spillway in 1983 revealed that the stilling basin function is improved when all gates are operated simultaneously. Studies on the predicted consequences of climate change show a tendency for annual flows to rise in the north of Quebec. The latter increases the spillway operation probability during winter. However, there are just 4 heated gates out of 8 gates. In order to comprehend the uncertainties surrounding the stilling basin's behaviour for the spillway operation with a combination of fewer than eight gates without compromising the stilling basin's integrity, a 3D numerical study was conducted. Complex flow patterns in the stilling basin for different winter operational scenarios at the spillway were demonstrated by the study.
M. Javier PatarroyoM. Javier Patarroyo is an engineer with more than 20 years of experience in water resources. He holds a Bachelor of Sciences degree in civil engineering from Colombia and a master’s degree in water science and engineering from Delft, The Netherlands. He is working for Hydro-Quebec since 2019. His expertise includes 2D and 3D modelling and design in the fields of hydraulics, flood studies, river engineering, hydropower, riverbed erosion, dam breach analysis, ice processes and hydraulic structures
Free for members and non-members. This event will take place in person in Montreal, but you can also attend virtually - The address and virtual link will be provided on the registration confirmation.
Le Rendez-Vous du Comité Francophone de l'ACB is a periodic event (virtual and/or face-to-face) during which members of the committee receive a variety of presenters and guests to address and discuss various topics related to dams.
More informal and interactive than traditional webinars, this activity sometimes takes the form of a presentation, sometimes a discussion, and sometimes both.
