Kangaroo Creek Dam Upgrade: An overview of the geotechnical aspects of the project
Seth Tiddy
Abstract
Kangaroo Creek Dam (KCD) is a concrete lined rock fill dam that controls 112 sq miles of the River Torrens catchment. The original construction was undertaken from 1966 to 1969. In 2006, a safety review for KCD identified that the key deficiency of the storage was its flood capacity. The current upgrade is designed to manage major flood risk and increase the dam’s ability to withstand earthquakes. Major works include:
- Slope stability assessment and stabilisation works prior to construction;
- Excavation of 300,000m3 of rock to widen the spillway by up to 40m;
- Extension of the outlet tunnel and pipe work by approximately 50m;
- Buttressing of the existing rock fill embankment;
- Raising of the embankment crest including extension of the concrete face slab;
- Significant concrete works (up to 32,000m3) to line the spillway including the ogee crest extension;
- Extension of the existing grout curtain to incorporate the ogee extension and crest raising.
Seth will be discussing the overall site geology and engineering considerations as the construction has advanced. Comparisons will be made to Trudinger’s (1973) engineering geology report of KCD and how having such a comprehensive guide has helped the project.
About Seth Tiddy
Seth is an engineering geologist with 15 years’ experience in site investigations and construction supervision in the UK, New Zealand and Australia. Seth arrived in Adelaide in 2009 working with SMEC on the Adelaide desalination project and subsequently went on to work with Golder on various local and interstate projects. Now working with GHD, Seth is the onsite engineering geologist at Kangaroo Creek Dam overseeing the foundation mapping, slope stability assessment and support recommendations.
Venue location to be confirmed
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