Student
SURVEY
Expeditions
Niagara Dam
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Travis Bruning - Niagara Dam Deformation Analysis
This project will focus on the deformation of Niagara Dam located in the Goldfields of Western Australia south of Kookynie. This concrete dam was originally built in 1897-1898 (for 42,000 pounds sterling) being 225 meters long and 18m high to supply fresh water for locomotives that would steam along the railway linking Kalgoorlie and Malcolm. Today it is a popular picnic and camping area and swimming area (depending on its water level).
Deformation monitoring is an important task taken upon by surveyors to determine the magnitude of forces effecting long term structural stability. Deformation monitoring provides data which can then be used by engineers to verify structural safety design parameters and regular inspection reports; resulting in mitigate measures in case of unforeseen or anomalous movements, which can have serious impacts on the surrounding environment. This is why methods used to observe deformation must be reliable and accurate enough to detect even the slightest movements. Techniques proved to be accurate in observing deformation include conventional geodetic measurements (total station and spirit leveled measurements) using signaled points and space based techniques such as Global Positioning Systems.
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Tomke Jantje Lambertus - Niagara Dam deformation monitoring
The object of interest for monitoring will be the Niagara Dam close to Leonora in Western Australia which is also of interest for the State Heritage Office. This gravity dam is over one hundred year’s old with a total length of 225m, a width of 7m and a height of 18m. It is capable to hold 141,000 cubic meters of water and was built of cement. The originally intention was that the dam would provide fresh water for the locomotives, but never used for that because of too little rainfall. Today it is a little pretty spot in the wilderness for visitors and provides opportunities for picnic, swimming and camping.
The surveying project consists of two main parts, data capturing and data processing. The data will be collected during the survey expedition and include laser scanning and photogrammetry. To detect dam deformation during one day the monitoring will be repeated every two hours as well as further necessary measurements.
