Análise de fluxo em uma seção da barragem de enrocamento de Itaipu

Abstract

The Itaipu Binacional is a hydroelectric plant located on the Paraná River between Brazil and Paraguay. The dam is composed of concrete, rock and earth structures, and the landfill structures make up 65% of the dam extension. Brazilian law establishes a Periodic Safety Review of Dams be performed considering the state of the project criteria and updating the upstream and downstream conditions of the dam. For this reason, the flow analysis of a typical section of the rock dam was performed to verify the flow conditions during the operation period of the dam. The instrumentation analysis evidenced the variation sensitivity of the instruments during the operation period. It was possible to understand the individual and collective behavior of the instruments, correlating them with each other and with reservoir level. The numerical analysis presented good results for the flow through the clay core. However, there was not obtained a representative model of the rock mass in the simulation of the foundation. The development of a new model with more geological data of the materials and the use of a program that considers fractured domain are suggested.