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Foundation and Foundation Treatment Design of an Off-Channel Storage Dam

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SANCOLD 2024 ANNUAL CONFERENCE 6-7 November 2024 

By Michelle Blaeser, ARQ Dams Pty Ltd, South Africa.

Consideration of geological features through comprehensive investigations conducted throughout several phases of dam design, will ensure the most appropriate means of foundation preparation and treatment at the site. Prior to the design phase at Olifantspoort Off-Channel Storage Dam, a reconnaissance study was performed which characterized the geological site conditions. Further geotechnical testing in the form of geophysical investigations (both electrical resistivity and seismic refraction), drilling of boreholes, excavation of test pits/trench, groutability testing and laboratory testing was performed at Olifantspoort.

The results of these tests formed the basis of the dam type selection and the consequent foundation design and foundation treatment recommendations, described in this paper.