pda europe 2010 annual conference – it’s time to… polyurea – sitges, 15-17 november polyurea...

PDA Europe 2010 Annual Conference – It’s Time to… Polyurea – Sitges, 15-17 November

Polyurea Dam Repair

A Case Study of the Girotte Dam in France

By Murphy Mahaffey

Director International Sales

WIWA Wilhelm Wagner GmbH & Co. KG


Overview

• History of the Girotte Dam• Design• Project Requirements• Application• Performance to Date• Contributors to the Project


History of the Girotte Dam

• Located in the Rhone-Alpes Region near Hauteluce

• Girotte Lake producing electricity since 1903

• Built from 1942-1949• First Sub-Glacial inlet

structure in the world


Construction of Girotte Dam


Girotte Dam Design• Multiple Arch and Buttress

Design– 18 Arches held by Fixed

Buttresses• Unreinforced Concrete

– Due to Shortage of Steel• 45 m / 148 Feet Tall• 510 m / 1,675 feet long• Spans a mountain ridge

– 1,747m /5,732 feet elevation


Girotte Dam Design

• Reservoir Surface Area is 75 ha / 8.7 million square feet


Girotte Dam Conditions• Difficult Weather Conditions

– Cycling Temperatures and Elevation are demanding on a Concrete Structure, morning temperatures on job were 10C / 50F

– Aggressive Glacial Waters from Tré-la-Tête Glacier

– Wind Erosion• Elevation 1,747m / 5,732 feet• Aggressive Glacial Water• Multiple Coatings over time- paint, resin, etc.


Girotte Condition Report 2006

Condition Report in March 2006

- Cracks observed in wall

- Escapes at some membranes (leaks)


Polyurea Material Specification and Budgeting

Polyurea offered these advantages over other competing systems:

• Fast setting• Sprayable• High-Build• Ease of Application• Exceptional Life


Safety Considerations• Difficult Access• Harness Work• Changing Weather Conditions

– Temperature, Wind• Elevation• Communication with Sprayer• Environmentally Sensitive Area• Equipment Operation• Material Handling


Polyurea Application

• Visual Inspection– Individual drops by

rope and harness over all 18 arches and buttress

– Top of Dam to Base

– Safety is a Priority



• Identify and Mark Cracks

• Grind Cracks Down



• Apply 2-Component Epoxy Primer



Equipment Requirements

• 110 Bar / 1,600 psi spray pressure

• 70C / 160F material temperature


Polyurea ApplicationEquipment

Requirements• Full access to

Wall Base 45m• Heated Hose• High Delta T

Heaters• Impingement

Mixing Spray Gun


Polyurea ApplicationEquipment

Safety Requirements

• Over Pressure Shutdown

• Over Temperature Shutdown

• Ratio Monitoring


Polyurea Job Details

• 1,200 Kilos / 2,645 lbs. of Polyurea Sprayed– 110Bar / 1,600 psi;

70C / 160F• Applied over 5 Days

– Changing Weather Conditions


Performance to Date

System Performing Within Specification


Polyurea Dam Repair Success


Contributing CompaniesSPIE Batignolles- Application

BMS- Equipment Supplier

Tradecc- Polyurea Material

WIWA- Equipment Design and

Technical Support

WIWA France- Laksander Michel


Thank You!

Polyurea Dam Repair

A Case Study of the Girotte Dam in France

By Murphy Mahaffey

Director International Sales

WIWA Wilhelm Wagner GmbH & Co. KG

pda europe 2010 annual conference – it’s time to… polyurea – sitges, 15-17 november polyurea...

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