Abstract
At the Pandoh Dam in the Central Himalaya, a reddish brown material was observed seeping through drainage holes in three of the galleries. Initially considered to be phyllitic oxide, this was chemically analysed and found to be sulphate radicals. A sulphate concentration of 861.50 ppm was recorded in the seepage water. Petrography of the bedrocks and X-ray analysis of the suspended reddish brown powder as well as chemical analysis of the seepage water revealed the presence of chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite and the conversion of monosulphate phases into ettringite phases as the major cause of expansion and seepage. This process is accompanied by a significant volume increase which it was concluded was responsible for the internal stresses causing the cracking through which the seepage water entered the drainage and grouting galleries.
Résumé
Au barrage de Pandoh dans l’Himalaya central, un matériau brun rougeâtre a été observé, à la faveur de drains débouchant dans trois des galeries. Initialement considéré comme un produit phyllitique chargé d’oxydes, il s’est révélé, après analyse chimique, être constitué de sulfates. Une concentration en sulfates de 861,5 ppm a été mesurée dans l’eau de drainage. L’étude pétrographique des roches du substratum et l’analyse par diffractométrie RX du matériau brun rougeâtre ainsi que l’analyse chimique de l’eau de drainage ont révélé la présence de chalcopyrite, de pyrrhotite et la transformation de mono-sulfates en ettringite, cause principale d’expansion et venue d’eau. Ce processus s’accompagne d’une augmentation de volume, responsable de contraintes internes à l’origine de fissurations ayant permis l’arrivée d’eau au niveau des drains débouchant dans les galeries.
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Dubey, C.S., Venkatachalam, K., Ratnam, M. et al. Causes of seepage water in drainage and grouting galleries of the Pandoh Dam, Central Himalaya. Bull Eng Geol Environ 63, 19–23 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-003-0216-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-003-0216-3