Cement grouting online monitoring and intelligent control for dam foundations

This paper shares the experience of China Three Gorges Corporation in intelligent grouting management for dam foundation reinforcement. An intelligent grouting control system called intelligent grout control hub with intelligent management (iGHM) was introduced to realize one-button closed-loop intelligent control of cement grouting by its robust grouting control models, novel grouting facilities, and intelligent online monitoring approaches. In this system, the grouting period (t) is intelligently divided into three zones and five phases based on the product of grouting pressure (P) and unit grouting rate (Q), which provide quantitative criteria for the grouting process control. Innovative grouting facilities (e.g., intelligent non-grading slurry tank, intelligent pressure control system, and central hub for grouting data management) and an intelligent grouting management cloud platform are subsequently incorporated to monitor, analyze, and evaluate grouting data online for efficient digital grouting management. Its application of consolidation grouting and high-pressure curtain grouting at the Baihetan Hydropower Station demonstrates that this intelligent grouting system could improve grouting quality with promising applications in similar projects.