BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams
Abstract
The application of Building Information Modelling (BIM) for the integration of large volumes of information and data analysis is a current practice, and increasingly frequent, in the civil construction sector. However, the application of the BIM methodology in infrastructure works, such as in the case of dams, is still not a widespread practice, especially in embankment dams. Dams’ construction is essential for different uses, such as water supply, energy generation, mining exploration. A large part of these dams is built with compacted soil and have specific structures that ensure flow control, stability and compatibility of deformations. Notwithstanding the social, economic and environmental impacts generated by possible failures of these structures are of greater importance and relevance for the community, and, unfortunately, have been occurring. The efforts that can be made to control the safety of a dam are always essential. The safety control of a dam is carried out through visual inspections and analysis of the instrumentation measurement. In some dams, instrumentation measurements are still carried out manually, without processes integrating the information. As a result, the use of BIM models integrated with a database, and specific tools for data analysis, becomes an interesting procedure for the solution and resolution of some problems arising from the dam safety analysis process. The use of the BIM methodology in embankment dams with a focus on the analysis of dam safety is the main objective of this work. The procedures developed in this dissertation in partnership with the Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil (LNEC) aim to establish the connection between different existing information in order to generate a BIM model, for three-dimensional visualization of the data obtained from the placed instrumentation. Furthermore, the connection between the database (SQLite) and a data analysis tool (Power BI) is also established, the methodology being tested for a type of instrument (settlement batteries), allowing the establishment of the connection and data integration between the BIM model, the database and the data analysis tool. The developed application allowed us to conclude that the use of the BIM methodology for information analysis is very promising, there are, however, several challenges for the generalized implementation of a solution.
Full text
Universidade do Minho Escola de Engenharia Aline Fernandes Heleno BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams September 2021 UMinho | 2021Aline F. Heleno BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union The European Master in Building Information Modelling is a joint initiative of:
Universidade do Minho Escola de Engenharia Aline Fernandes Heleno BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Master Dissertation European Master in Building Information Modelling Work conducted under supervision of: Miguel Ângelo Dias Azenha Laura Maria Mello Saraiva Caldeira September, 2021
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ ii AUTHORSHIP RIGHTS AND CONDITIONS OF USE OF THE WORK BY THIRD PARTIES This is an academic work that can be used by third parties, as long as internationally accepted rules and good practices are respected, particularly in what concerts to author rights and related matters. Therefore, the present work may be used according to the terms of the license shown below. If the user needs permission to make use if this work in conditions that are not part of the licensing mentioned below, he/she should contact the author through the RepositóriUM platform of the University of Minho. License granted to the users of this work Attribution CC BY https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First, I would like to thank my supervisor Professor Miguel Azenha, for agreed to get involved in geotechnic work, for his precious teachings and constant motivation. To the engineers and supervisors Laura Caldeira and Maria João Silva, for the partnership established with LNEC to develop this work, without which it would not be possible. Especially to Laura, my greatest reference in geotechnic, I thank her for her patience and for sharing her knowledge. I would like to thank Helder for all the contribution and correction. To my dears’ parents and brother, I am grateful for their constant support and care, even from distance. I thank my dear husband, Tiago, who did not let me give up, who, despite the distance, was always present in difficult and good times, and took care of me. I would like to thank all my master's friends for the good conversations that were essential for my motivation. Special thanks to Lombe, Aly, Abdu, Aydan and Safwat for the exchange of experiences during the period of development of the dissertation and for the friendship. To all BIM A+ program’s teachers, I thank they for their teachings. I would like to thank Rita Oliveira and José Granja for their help and attention at various times. Thanks to the Consortium Scholarship for funding part of the course fees. Thanks to the Technological Research Institute of the State of São Paulo (IPT), for having granted the opportunity to develop this work. Without the support of the institute, it would not be possible to complete this work. Especially to Patrícia and Ronaldo who have always supported me and are my examples of dedication and commitment. Finally, I am grateful for the support and collaboration with the R&D project “Cognitive CMMS Cognitive Computerized Maintenance Management System” with reference POCI-01-0247-FEDER033574, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), through the Program Operational Competitiveness and Internationalization (POCI).
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ iv STATEMENT OF INTEGRITY I hereby declare having conducted this academic work with integrity. I confirm that I have not used plagiarism or any form of undue use of information or falsification of results along the process leading to its elaboration. I further declare that I have fully acknowledged the Code of Ethical Conduct of the University of Minho. Aline Fernandes Heleno
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ v RESUMO A aplicação de modelos Building Information Modelling (BIM) para integração de grandes volumes de informação e análise de dados é uma prática corrente, e cada vez mais frequente, no setor da construção civil. No entanto, a aplicação da metodologia BIM em obras de infraestrutura, como é o caso de barragens, ainda não é prática difundida, principalmente em barragens de aterro. A construção de barragens é essencial para diferentes usos, como abastecimento de água, geração de energia, exploração mineiras. Uma grande parte destas barragens são construídas com solo compactado e apresentam estruturas específicas que permitem garantir controlo do fluxo, estabilidade e compatibilização das deformações. Não obstante o referido, os impactos social, económico e ambiental gerados por possíveis ruturas destas estruturas são de maior importância e relevância para as comunidades, e, infelizmente, tem vindo a ocorrer. Os esforços que possam ser desenvolvidos para o controlo da segurança de uma barragem são sempre essenciais. O controle da segurança de uma barragem é realizado por meio de inspeções visuais e análise das medições da instrumentação instalada. Em algumas barragens as medições da instrumentação ainda são realizadas de forma manual, sem processos integradores das informações. Em decorrência disso o uso de modelos BIM integrados com um banco de dados, e ferramentas específicas para análise de dados, torna-se um procedimento interessante para a solução e resolução de alguns problemas decorrentes do processo de análise da segurança da barragem. A utilização da metodologia BIM em barragens de aterro com foco na análise da segurança de barragens é o principal objetivo do presente trabalho. Os procedimentos desenvolvidos na presente dissertação em parceria com o Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil (LNEC) visam estabelecer a conexão entre diversas informações existentes modo a gerar um modelo BIM, para visualização tridimensional dos dados obtidos da instrumentação colocada. Acresce ao referido que é também estabelecida a conexão entre o banco de dados (SQLite) e uma ferramenta de análise de dados (Power BI), sendo a metodologia testada para um tipo de instrumento (baterias de assentamento), permitindo o estabelecimento da conexão e integração dos dados entre o modelo BIM, o banco de dados e a ferramenta de análise de dados. A aplicação desenvolvida, permitiu concluir que a utilização da metodologia BIM para análise de informação é muito promissora, existindo, contudo, diversos desafios para implementação generalizada de uma solução. Palavras chave: (BIM, Barragens, Banco de dados, Instrumentação, Análise da segurança)
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ vi ABSTRACT The application of Building Information Modelling (BIM) for the integration of large volumes of information and data analysis is a current practice, and increasingly frequent, in the civil construction sector. However, the application of the BIM methodology in infrastructure works, such as in the case of dams, is still not a widespread practice, especially in embankment dams. Dams’ construction is essential for different uses, such as water supply, energy generation, mining exploration. A large part of these dams is built with compacted soil and have specific structures that ensure flow control, stability and compatibility of deformations. Notwithstanding the social, economic and environmental impacts generated by possible failures of these structures are of greater importance and relevance for the community, and, unfortunately, have been occurring. The efforts that can be made to control the safety of a dam are always essential. The safety control of a dam is carried out through visual inspections and analysis of the instrumentation measurement. In some dams, instrumentation measurements are still carried out manually, without processes integrating the information. As a result, the use of BIM models integrated with a database, and specific tools for data analysis, becomes an interesting procedure for the solution and resolution of some problems arising from the dam safety analysis process. The use of the BIM methodology in embankment dams with a focus on the analysis of dam safety is the main objective of this work. The procedures developed in this dissertation in partnership with the Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil (LNEC) aim to establish the connection between different existing information in order to generate a BIM model, for three-dimensional visualization of the data obtained from the placed instrumentation. Furthermore, the connection between the database (SQLite) and a data analysis tool (Power BI) is also established, the methodology being tested for a type of instrument (settlement batteries), allowing the establishment of the connection and data integration between the BIM model, the database and the data analysis tool. The developed application allowed us to conclude that the use of the BIM methodology for information analysis is very promising, there are, however, several challenges for the generalized implementation of a solution. Keywords: (BIM, Dam, Database, Instrumentation, Safety control)
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ vii TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ..................................................................................................... iii RESUMO .................................................................................................................................. v ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS ....................................................................................................... vii LIST OF FIGURES .................................................................................................................. ix LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................... xi 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 13 1.1. OBJECTIVES ....................................................................................................................... 13 1.2. ACTIVITIES AND ORGANIZATION ................................................................................ 14 2. SAFETY CONTROL OF EMBANKMENT DAM .......................................................... 17 2.1. GENERAL ASPECTS OF EMBANKMENT DAMS .......................................................... 18 2.2. SAFETY CONTROL ............................................................................................................ 19 2.2.1. Visual inspection ........................................................................................................... 20 2.2.2. Geotechnical instrumentation ........................................................................................ 21 2.2.3. Model analysis............................................................................................................... 24 2.2.4. Reporting ....................................................................................................................... 25 2.2.5. Pitfalls and opportunities ............................................................................................... 26 3. BIM APPLIED TO DAMS IN OPERATION .................................................................. 27 3.1. BIM AND FACILITY MANAGEMENT ............................................................................. 27 3.2. APPLICATION IN DAMS’ OPERATION .......................................................................... 28 3.3. DATABASE SUPPORT IN OPERATION .......................................................................... 30 3.4. BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE .............................................................................................. 33 4. INTEGRATED FRAMEWORK FOR SAFETY CONTROL OF EMBANKMENT DAMS ....................................................................................................................................... 35 4.1. MODELLING GEOMETRY IN BIM MODEL PLATFORM ............................................. 37 4.2. DATABASE.......................................................................................................................... 39 4.3. CLASSES OF OBJECTS FOR GEOTECHNICAL INSTRUMENTATION ...................... 42 4.4. INTERACT DASHBOARD AND VISUALIZATION DATA ............................................ 45 5. CASE STUDY – ODELOUCA DAM .............................................................................. 47 5.1. DESCRIPTION ..................................................................................................................... 47 5.2. BIM MODEL DEVELOPED AND RESULTS .................................................................... 49 6. CONCLUSION AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS ...................................................... 53 6.1. FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS ............................................................................................... 53 REFERENCES ......................................................................................................................... 55
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ viii LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................ 59 APPENDIX 1: DYNAMO AND PYTHON SCRIPT FOR GEOMETRY DAM CREATION .................................................................................................................................................. 61 APPENDIX 2: DATABASE CODE........................................................................................ 69 APPENDIX 3: DATABASE AND BIM MODEL CONECTION .......................................... 71 APPENDIX 4: DATA VISUALIZATION .............................................................................. 73
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ 15 opportunities in monitoring embankment dams. Chapter 3 gives some concepts about Facility Management (FM), databases, and business intelligence. Chapter 4 present all the computational workflow developed during this project, all the implementation. Finally, Chapter 5 corresponds to application of the methodology of Chapter 4, to an existing embankment dam. Figure 1 – Workflow proposal. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
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BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ 17 2. SAFETY CONTROL OF EMBANKMENT DAM Dams have been built since antiquity and construction techniques are still developing. Over the last few decades, the construction of dams has undergone great technical advances in the control of construction procedures and the materials used (Neves et al., 2015). The dam’s construction could be associated with industrial and even subsistence activities, with different uses like: hydroelectric power, navigation, flood control, water source and others (Evans et al., 2000). These structures are associated with development and, in many countries, they have been used as a booster of growth (Fusaro, 2007). However, these kinds of structures can cause enormous environmental, social, and economic impacts during the construction, operation and decommissioning phases, even more in case of a dam failure resulting in flooding of vast areas downstream with losses of human life (Vallejo, 2016). According to Vallejo (2016) in the last 100 years, thousands of people died or lost their properties, because of dam failures. Figure 2 shows the percentage of the failure that occurs around the world for each type of dams (Vallejo, 2016; Nasrat et al., 2020). In a simplified way, dams can be divided into concrete dams and embankment dams. There are many kinds of concrete and embankment dams. Each of these types of dams has constructive characteristics, requests, foundation requirements, in short, different behaviors, which must be considered whenever a particular project is studied (Marques Filho and Geraldo, 1998). Figure 2 – Dam failure according to dam type around the world (modify from Vallejo, 2016). Embankment dam engineering has evolved over many centuries, with the major developments occurring since the 1940s with the development of soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering. This kind of dam corresponds to the majority of existing dams, totaling 77% of all dams in the world, and it is the type of dam that most frequently fails (Foster et al., 2000; Vallejo, 2016; Nasrat et al., 2020). In order to avoid the dam’s failure, it is essential to establish the safety control of embankment dam during the construction and operational phases as a permanent process of monitoring and evaluation
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ 18 of the behavior of such structures, with visual inspections and instrumentation measurement and analysis (Fell et al., 1992; Fusaro, 2007). In this chapter, discussions are held in regard to issues related to general aspects of the embankment dam and their safety control, and to all the information necessary to understand the workflow development during this dissertation work. 2.1. General aspects of embankment dams There are different types of embankment dam, but in general there are three basic principles that must be obeyed in a dam design, they are: (i) flow control, (ii) internal (dam and foundation set) and external (general slope) stability and (iii) deformation compatibility. The Figure 3a shows the upstream and downstream zones of a dam. The flow control is generally established by sealing the upstream zone of the dam (Figure 3a), as much as possible, by introducing waterproof systems for this, like a central core in the earth fill dam body and grout curtain in the foundation (Figure 3b). On the other hand, the outflow is facilitated at downstream zone of the dam (Figure 3a), as much as possible, by introducing drainage systems (Figure 3b) (Fell et al., 1992; Cruz, 1996). All structures indicated in Figure 3b are illustrative and there are several other types of structures. For example, the position of the core could be central or at the upstream zone, and the drains solution could include horizontal, chimney or toe drains. These configurations depended on the conditions of each project. (a) Upstream and downstream zones of the dam and the respective principle for flow control. (b) Example of structures arrangement to control the flow. Figure 3 – Flow control structures (adapted from Cruz, 1996). The stability of the dam is guaranteed by the external areas of the dam – upstream and downstream shells. The zone of the dam which provides strength is shown in Figure 4, by gray color, which must be made compatible with the foundation materials to ensure, in addition to the stability of the upstream and downstream slopes, the stability of the dam and its foundation, considering the various loading phases throughout the construction and operation phases. Finally, the compressibility of the materials of the various zones of the dam (core, filters, drains and shells) and its foundation must be compatible, or some transition zones needs to be considered in order to reduce differential and total settlements. These displacements can affect the performance of
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ 19 the impervious zones and drainage systems, by the occurrence of cracks. These cracks become features of concentrated flow that could generate the piping process through the embankment or even by the inversion of the flow gradients in the drainage system. Figure 4 – Stability structures (adapted from Cruz, 1996). Figure 5 – Transition area (adapted from Cruz, 1996). According to Foster et al. (2000), the structural modes of failure involving piping are the most common in large embankment dams. This study concludes that the incidence of piping through the embankment is two times higher than piping through the foundation, proving the importance of building adequate filter systems in embankment dams. 2.2. Safety control The aim of the safety control of a dam is the observation, detection and characterization of eventual deteriorations that could be a potential risk to the conditions of the global safety. The safety control can be done by visual inspection, monitoring and analysis (Fonseca, 2003). The visual inspections are a qualitative process, through periodic field inspections, and the monitoring is the process to obtain and analyze the measuring of each instrument installed in the embankment and in the foundation of the dam (FERC, 2003).These processes must be carried out together during the whole life of the dam (construction, operation, and decommissioning), to provide the necessary data for an eventual revision or adaptation of the procedures adopted in each phase (Fonseca, 2003). One of the greatest benefits of instrumentation is to enable the assessment of the structural behavior of a dam, through comparison between quantities measured in situ and those provided by the mathematical analysis models, helping to validate design and construction quality, and to identify potential problems. During construction, instrumentation allows owners to verify the adequacy of constructive methods and eventually, to conclude on the need to change the adopted methods (Fusaro, 2007).
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ 20 During the operational phase, the geotechnical instrumentation can be used to provide an alarm when the measurement exceeds the limits established as acceptable. In this case, instrumentation is a tool to identifying possible situations of risk, giving the opportunity to intervene in structures avoiding dam failure. Alternatively in situations of imminent risk, they provide the capacity to put into action the emergency plan in order to evacuate the areas that may be affected by the dam failure (Fusaro, 2007). 2.2.1. Visual inspection Visual inspection is mandatory for all kind of dams. This is the way to detect anomalies. There are different kinds of visual inspections. Some examples are routine and periodic inspections. The routine inspections are carried out regularly by operational staff, and the periodic inspections are carried out by a civil engineer specialized in dams (ICOLD, 2017a). In addition to planned inspections, the dam should have special inspections after unusual or extreme events like earthquakes, important floods, or other natural/induced events that could change the normal dam operations (CDA, 2007). The frequency of each visual inspection depends upon the up-to-date need for information. Therefore the routine inspection are generally performed daily or weekly, and the periodic inspections occur once a year (ICOLD, 2017a). However, the frequency of the visual inspection depend on the size of the dam (maximum height of the dam and the capacity of the reservoir) and the hazard rating, associated with environmental, social, and economic impacts in case of dam failure (Fell et al., 1992). The inspection is carried out using a checklist that includes de following items: • Condition of the vegetation on dam: verify if the dam shows overgrowth, incomplete vegetation or even wet terrain vegetation. In case of overgrowth, for dam surveillance it is required to cut the vegetation and to eliminate weeds. It also may indicate seepage or excessive capillarity. In case of incomplete vegetation, it is required to repair the vegetation to avoid external erosion. In the local of the wet terrain vegetation, it is important to look for sand boils and deltas (Fell et al., 1992). • Condition of the drainage ditches: verify if the dam has some obstruction by vegetation/soil, damp, the quality/quantity of flowing water, boils, misalignment and silt accumulation, deltas, cones (Fell et al., 1992). • General condition of the embankment: verify if the crest has some cracking, subsidence, the axis misalignment, and holes caused by animals, termite mounds and anthills. Observe if the upstream slope has cracking, surface erosion, gullying, wave erosion, deficiency of material protection (riprap), and holes caused by animals, termite mounds and anthills. Observe if the downstream slope has cracking, subsidence, bulging, erosion, moisture on dry days, damp areas, boils, seeps, and holes caused by animals, termite mounds and anthills. Observe if the berms have erosion, gullies, damp areas, boils, seeps and holes caused by animals, termite mounds and anthills (Fell et al. , 1992; Maranaha das Neves et al., 2015). • General condition of the spillways: verify the discharge conduit condition, the seepage or damp areas around conduit, erosion below the conduit and boils in the
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ 21 vicinity of the conduit, verify the spillway slabs for uplift, subsidence, and cracking (Fell et al., 1992). •General condition of the reservoir: the main anomalies to observe are the instability of the bank slopes due to the erosive action of the ripple of the reservoir waters and the presence of debris or other floating materials that can obstruct the discharge system (Maranha das Neves et al., 2015) •General condition of the dam toe: verify at upstream the existence of concentrated flow, and the colour of the water flow, which may indicate dragging of material and the accumulation of water/swamps (Neves et al., 2015). •General condition of the contact between different materials: verify the existence of springs, water outlets or wetlands, erosions in contact between different materials and cracks (Maranha das Neves et al., 2015). 2.2.2. Geotechnical instrumentation For proper monitoring of an embankment dam, several parameters must be measured and analyzed throughout all phases of the dam life to control its performance during construction, first filling, rapid drawdown and long-term operation (ASCE, 1995). For example, the physical quantities to be measured are pore water pressure, displacements, total stress, temperature, water flow emerging downstream, and seismic accelerations. This dissertation will focus on the instrumentation to measure the pore water pressure and internal displacements of the dam body and at its foundation. These are the most common instrumentation in embankment dams, to provide the stability analyses of the embankment. The pore water pressure is commonly measured in the foundation and dam body. The device mostly used for this parameter is the piezometer. There are different types of piezometers: open standpipe, twin-tube hydraulic, pneumatic, vibration wire, electrical resistance piezometers (Silveira, 2006). Figure 6 shows a typical installation scheme for an open standpipe piezometer. For this type of piezometer, there are some variations such as the LNEC type piezometer (Figure 7), which aims to reduce the time delay in the measurement of the local pore water pressures in soils with a low permeability. The time for the liquid column in the piezometer to stabilize after a pressure variation represents the sensitivity of the instrument. This time is directly proportional to the cross section of the pipe and inversely to the permeability of the soil in the vicinity (Silveira, 2006). The instruments for measuring deformation can be grouped in different categories, but to simplify, the surveying methods are used to monitor the magnitude and rate of horizontal and vertical deformation of structures on ground surface and subsurface (Dunnicliff, 1988). According to Silveira (2006), one of the oldest and simplest methods for observing the displacements of an embankment dam is the installation of the Surface Settlement (Figure 8), along the berm and crest, to observe the surface settlements and horizontal displacements. To measure these displacements of the surface settlement, it is necessary to install the benchmark in the outcrop rock of natural terrain, to have a fixed reference. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ 22 Piezometer Measured parameter: pore water pressures in earth masses, slopes and foundations. Uplift pressures in the foundations of concrete structures. Main features: They consist of a PVC tube inserted into a borehole, at the lower end of which a porous element (bulb) is installed. The water penetrates through the bulb, forming a water column equivalent to the pore water pressure acting at its installation point. In the bulb region, the hole is filled with sand, and the remaining height is sealed with plastic-cement or bentonite soil, thus delimiting the draining region. (a) (b) Figure 6 – (a) Piezometer schema(Dunnicliff, 1988); (b) General comments (Fusaro, 2007) . 1-Filtering element, to avoid clogging, ceramic or synthetic. 2Perforated galvanized pipe. 3Piezometric lifting tube in polyurethane or polyamide, with a diameter of 6.0 mm and 2.0 mm. Figure 7 – Piezometer LNEC (Maranha das Neves et al., 2015). One of the instruments used to monitor the internal settlements at the dam and its foundation is the settlement platforms/gauges. Figure 9 shows the schematic drawing of settlement platforms with a brief description of the equipment and measurement. Surface settlement Measured parameter: Surface displacements of the earth mass. Characteristics. Main features: They are topographic landmarks installed on the surface of the dam, displacements are measured through the topography (theodolites or levels of precision, which can be installed fully installed for planimetry), taking as reference fixed points in places considered immovable, outside the dam's area of influence. (a) (b) Figure 8 – (a)Surface settlement platforms schema (Fell et al., 1992); (b) General comments (Fusaro, 2007).
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ 23 Settlement platforms/gauges Measured parameter: Vertical displacement of the foundation and of the earth mass at different elevations Main features: Consists of a PVC guide tube with properly spaced sleeves and a reference magnet installed at a point considered to be immovable in the foundation rock. Along the tube, discharge plates with holes in the center and a magnet attached to the plate are installed. The measurement used to be done with optical leveling (a) (b) Figure 9 – (a) Settlement platforms/gauges schema (Fell et al., 1992); (b) General comments (ASCE, 1995; Fusaro, 2007). The inclinometer is another instrument to measurement in internal displacements, that are define as devices for monitoring displacements normal to the axis of a flexible pipe (ASCE, 1995). Figure 10 shows the main principle of inclinometer operation and some features about the equipment. Inclinometer Measured parameter: the extent and rate of horizontal movement of embankment dams and levees, both in the fill and foundation. Main features: The instrument consists of a set of aluminum or PVC tubes that have four grooves, two to two diametrically opposite and perpendicular, generally arranged in the dams in the right abutment/left abutment and upstream/downstream positions. The reading of the inclination of each tube is made by a torpedo inserted in the guide tube. (a) (b) Figure 10 – (a) Inclinometer schema (Dunnicliff, 1988);. (b) General comments (Fusaro, 2007).
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ 24 Other parameters, like seepage flow, water quality (turbidity measurement) and atmospheric precipitation are very important during the dam safety condition analysis. 2.2.3. Model analysis The evaluation of the structural behavior of a dam and its foundation is fundamentally based on visual inspections and on the results of monitoring data analysis, such as displacements, settlements, seepage flow volumes, pore water pressures, uplift pressures and total and effective stresses. Monitoring data analysis involves correlating the measured values with the loads, determining trends in variation, and carefully comparing the measured values with those predicted theoretically or experimentally (Fusaro, 2007). Monitoring data must be analyzed from two perspectives: first, as a function of time, to identify changes in trends, and second, within the context of expected behavior in relation to design criteria. From either of these two perspectives, to carry out this analysis, the following aspects should be considered (ICOLD, 1989): • the interpretation of results must be carried out immediately after data collection; • there is a time-lag between a physical phenomenon, such as a change in the water level in the reservoir, for example, and the response given by the instrument; • distorted scales for the graphical representation of collected data can lead to distorted interpretations and conclusions; • sudden and/or unexpected variations must be carefully correlated with information relating to the construction and operation of the dam, in order to provide logical interpretations for these collected records; • conclusions should be based on trends established over a reasonable period of time from the observations; • correlations with different types of data must be established in order to ensure reliability of the monitoring processes; • the limitations inherent to each instrument must be known in advance, in order to avoid unproductive attempts to evaluate data whose magnitude is within the margin of error of the instrument used; • acceptable limits for instrumentation data should be established in the design phase, before the start of reservoir filling (structures and foundations being able to withstand certain magnitudes of displacement, pressure, etc.), avoiding such based propositions in the later records indicated by the instrumentation; • the occurrence of instrumentation data in disagreement with the predicted values does not necessarily imply the existence of a problem; on the other hand, it is also true that even data entered within the allowable ranges of the instruments do not necessarily imply that there are no problems. For the analysis of dam instrumentation data, Fusaro (2007) recommends the following steps described in Figure 11.
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ 31 database allows multiple users and programs to access it simultaneously (Elmasri and Navathe, 2011). There are several types of database management systems, each database stores a particular collection of data for a specific purpose (Panwar, 2021). There are different methods to classify databases, such as by the number of users supported (single or multiuser database), where the data is located (centralized, distributes or cloud database), and how the data is structured (Carlos et al., 2018). For the last kind of classification, database could be divided in several categories, an example is following: • Relational model, uses a collection of tables to represent the relationships between the data. Each column of a table represents an attribute and each row in a table represents a record. Each field in a table represents a data value. It is the most widely used data model. Example of applications: Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL, SQLite, and IBM DB2.(Korth and Silberschatz, 1991; Panwar, 2021) • Semi-structured model, permits the specification of data where individual data items of the same type may have different sets of attributes. Example of application: JSON and Extensible Markup Language (XML) are widely used semi-structured data representations (Korth and Silberschatz, 1991). • Object-Based model, it provides full-featured database programming capabilities while containing native language compatibility. Example of applications: TORNADO, Gemstone, ObjectStore, GBase, VBase, InterSystems Cache, Versant Object Database, ODABA, ZODB, Poet. JADE, and Informix (Panwar, 2021) • NoSQL, means not only SQL. It is a new generation of DBMS that is no base in relational database model, that could accept a variety kind of type and different structure of data. Example of applications: Cosmos DB, ArangoDB, Couchbase Server, CouchDB, Amazon DocumentDB, MongoDB, CouchBase, Elasticsearch, Informix, SAP HANA, Neo4j (Carlos et al., 2018; Panwar, 2021) In general for all databases, the main features of the approach are as follows: (i) self-describing nature of a database system, (ii) isolation between programs and data, (iii) support of multiple views of data, (iv) data sharing and processing with multiple users (Elmasri and Navathe, 2011). And, some of the advantages of using the DBMS are: (i) redundancy control, (ii) data access restrictions, (iii) persistent storage (information can be retrieved by other systems), (iv) efficiently performs queries and updates, (v) offers backup and recovery, (vi) complex data relationships, (vii) integrity constraints and user interface (Elmasri and Navathe, 2011). These are the main reasons why a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet does not correspond to a database, although it allows the manipulation of data in a tabular format, it does not support self-documentation through metadata, ensure consistency of data in a column by application of data types or domains to data, or defined relationships between tables(Korth and Silberschatz, 1991). As seen in items 3.1 and 3.2 of this dissertation, the connection between BIM models and database has been used for different applications, an example is connection with monitoring data to analyze the performance of a structure, thermal comfort or occupation of environments.
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ 32 An important application for relational database using is the system for the safety control of concrete dams called GESTBARRAGENS, which supports: (i) the process of instrumentation installed in the dams; (ii) the process about visual inspections; (iii) the management process; (iv) and the process of detecting anomaly situations in the observed data. According to Silva et al. (2005) “ the technical architecture of GESTBARRAGENS also adopts a multi-instance, distributed and federated model whenever convenient, and adopts modern software development technologies, in particular technologies linked to the Internet, geographic information systems and mobile computing”. Trabulci (2020) used the SQLite database to connect BIM model, and demonstrated an automated extraction of data from Revit model into the SQL database, “giving facility managers access to work on a complete structured database that interacts with the original Revit model, in addition to that the data analytics is powerful for both prediction of future maintenance and analysis of the asset’s performance metrics, assisting on decisions for improvements on energy consumptions of lighting fixtures on the building”. The SQLite is a kind of relational DBMS with multiple tables, indices, triggers, and views, contained in a single disk file, that means this database reads and writes directly to ordinary disk files, it does not have a separate server process like another database (SQLite, no date). This database establishes a connection in a simplified way with the BIM model, as there is no need to establish a connection with servers as with other relational databases. Also, SQLite is available for free, it has no restrictions on database creation and permanence. Relational database is similar to a table of values, in which a row is called as tuple, a column header is called an attribute, and the table is called a relation. The value of each cell is called attribute value (Elmasri and Navathe, 2011). The data type of each attribute (column) describes the types of values that can appear in each column is represented by a domain of possible values. All values in a column are of the same data type and the domain is a set of indivisible values that an attribute can have. This define the variable, name, value (text with character number definition, integer or float values, Boolean) and if the variable could be null or not (Elmasri and Navathe, 2011). Another important point to define an attribute (columns) is that multivalued or composite attributes are not allowed. Multivalued attributes must be represented in separate relations (tables). There are three restrictions that must be respected to create a relational database (Elmasri and Navathe, 2011).: • Key restriction: By definition, all elements of a set are distinct. Thus, two tuples cannot have the same combination of values for all their attributes. To guarantee the uniqueness between the tuples, an attribute (column) is defined that has unique values for each tuple. It can be a sequential value, the registration number of a device, but it must ensure that this value does not repeat throughout the entire relationship. This attribute (column) is called the Primary Key.
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ 33 • Entity Integrity Restrictions: The primary key of a relationship cannot have a NULL value. If this was allowed, then we would be assuming that there are tuples that do not differ, violating the basic rule of the primary key. • Referential Integrity Restrictions: It is classified between two relationships and used to maintain consistency between the tuples of the two relations (tables). A tuple in a relation, which references another relation, must refer to an existing tuple in this relation. The concept of foreign key (foreign key) is used to define the referential integrity constraints. The foreign key of a relation must be the primary key of the other relation, in this sense it is possible to establish the connection between the different relations. Therefore, Referential integrity states that every foreign key value in a relation must match a primary key value of a second relation or must be null. In addition to establishing a connection with the BIM model, another important point is to establish a connection between the database with some tool for data analysis as performed in the work of Trabulci (2020). In this work this connection was established to show the potential to procedure data analysis with data from BIM model. 3.4. Business Intelligence Business intelligence (BI) is a term for the technology that enables data preparation, data mining, data management, and data visualization, by integrating a set of tools and process. BI tools and processes allow identifying information from data, and supporting decision for organizations in several subjects (IBM, no date). “This intelligence is based on learning and understanding the facts about the business environment. BI is a framework that allows a business to transform data into information, information into knowledge, and knowledge into wisdom”(Carlos et al., 2018). There are different kind of BI tools available on the market, most of these tools has offers comprehensive reporting, analysis, and interactive data visualization, but for different goals, such as SAP Business Objects, that focus on customer experience and digital supply chain. Most BI tools connect to a database, such as Microsoft Power BI, Looker, Tableau (Haije, 2019). The connection between database with information from social media and BI allow companies to understand their customers better, improve marketing technology, make personalization possible and identify real-time problems and opportunities(Niu et al., 2021). For the construction area a lot of different BI tools available in market have been used such as the software Accept System, IBM SPSS, Matlab, MS Clustering, Pentaho, Power BI, Primavera, Qlik, Rapid Miner, SAP, Statsoft Statistica Weka and Wordstat. In another hand, Lopes and Boscarioli (2020) shows in his study that more than 64% of the software used in construction sector were not commercial and had been specifically developed for each company. These the large number of developed specifically solution is because of the characteristics inherent to the construction sector, and for the different uses that have been applied to construction sector (Lopes and Boscarioli, 2020).
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ 34 There are different applications to construction sector by utilization the BI and analytics technologies, such as: management support were preparation of budgets, cost management of works in progress and in the area of occupational safety. In addition to these, there were also uses in the areas of knowledge management, risk management, strategic management, schedule management, productivity management, inventory management, waste management and structural design (Lopes and Boscarioli, 2020). Although many of the systems available in market were primarily developed to support business (financial) analytics, they also seem perfectly suited to handling engineering issues. Szelka and Wrona (2010) studied several BI and analytics tools to support decision making in structural projects, concluding the most appropriate application is data warehouse, because of the use multidimensional structures in the processes of data gathering, handling and distribution. The data warehouse is a kind of database that stores data in a format optimized for decision support. These tools could be considered a kind of BI and analytics tools, that contain data from the operational databases as well as data from other external sources (Carlos et al., 2018). Another type of application already carried out was the use of BI tools for performance and energy efficiency analysis. For this, the BIM model was connected to a BI tool (Trabulci, 2020). This methodology can be applied to the analysis of instrumentation in dams by connecting the dam instrumentation database and BIM model with BI tools. One of the BI tools that allows this kind analysis is the Microsoft PowerBI, which can connect with database and with the BIM model through an application that make this connection. An example of this kind of tool is the Tracer. This is a standalone toolkit for visualizing interactive 2D or 3D geometry created for BIM model to visualize in Microsoft PowerBI. This helps to visualize the unique information. Figure 13 show an example of connection between BIM model and BI tool. Figure 13 – BIM model connected to BI tool (https://apps.provingground.io/tracer/)
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ 35 4. INTEGRATED FRAMEWORK FOR SAFETY CONTROL OF EMBANKMENT DAMS This chapter describes the procedure to develop the BIM As-is model focusing on safety control for embankment dams during the operation phase. The current procedure for the flow of information between the parameter’s measurement of instrumentation and data analysis is carried out according to the workflow shown in Figure 14. The activities start with field measurement of the n instruments as shown in column A of Figure 14. For each instrument, a text file with the measurement data is issued, column B of Figure 14. For each of the instruments there is a spreadsheet for data analysis, column C. Figure 14 – Current workflow to measurement and data analysis. To improve the current workflow of activities, this work proposes the workflow shown in Figure 1, where data from existing and new measures will be stored in database that will provide information to the BIM model. Therefore, all the information will be concentrated in the same place (database), allowing an integrated analysis of the data by using the visualization in BIM model and the tools for data analysis. Figure 15 shows the computational workflow used for implementation of the procedures. In this workflow the procedure for implementation was divided into four activities listed between 4.1 and 4.4, which correspond to the sub-items in this chapter.
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ 36 Figure 15 – Computational workflow. This workflow allows you to visualize that practically all the information is arriving in the BIM Asis model as a final product. The information that feeds the procedures to establish the connection with the BIM As-is model is focused on the database. The activities numbered in 4.1 consists of the exchange of geometry, between AutoCAD and Revit. For this the information was transformed into Microsoft Excel sheets and visual programming and Python language were used to establish the exchange of information. The result is the BIM As-is model of the dam geometry. The activities numbered in item 4.2 consist of the creation of the BIM object instrumentation, by connecting the database and the BIM As-is model, using for that the visual programing. The activities numbered 4.3 consist of the creation of the instrumentation database and verification of the existence of data that already exists in the database and consequently the writing of nonexistent data. For this, programming in python language was used in the develop open-source software Jupyter Notebook. For the database, DBMS SQLite was used.
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ 37 Activities 4.4 correspond to business intelligence, establishing the connection between the database and the BI tool (Microsoft Power BI) and with the BIM As-is model through the visual programming language. Details of the activities listed above and shown in Figure 15 are found in the sub-items of this chapter, numbered as shown in Figure 15. 4.1. Modelling geometry in BIM model platform To facilitate the creation of the geometry of existing dams, a code was developed based on visual programming language. This code generated some parts of the dam such as upstream and downstream embankment, core and drain of the dam (Figure 16). As shown in item 2.1, in general and simple way, these are the three structures that help to ensure the three principles of dam design: stability (embankment), deformation compatibility (core) and flow control (drain). Figure 16 – Geometry automatic generated. Geometry is generated by provided the cross sections points of each structure (embankment, core and drain). Data entry is performed using Excel spreadsheets, with each of the structures corresponding to a different excel spreadsheet. The points must be inserted sequentially, but it does not depend on the direction, they can be inserted clockwise or counterclockwise. Figure 17, Figure 18(a) and Figure 18(b) show an example of the spreadsheet. In addition to the points referring to the cross sections, the dam axis is also provided, this information is obtained directly from BIM platform, by using visual language for that. In this case, the axis can be drawn directly in BIM platform or imported from AutoCAD. Figure 17 – Excel spreadsheet with geometry information – embankment. Embankment Core Drain
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ 38 (a) (b) Figure 18 – Excel spreadsheet with geometry information – (a)core; (b)drain. From the points of each structure, a polygon is generated. These polygons are extruded in relation to the axis of the dam, generating three independent solids. This procedure is performed for the three types of structure (embankment, core and drain). The solid corresponding to the embankment dam is cut according to the geometries corresponding to the core and drain. Figure 19 shows the process to generate the dam geometry. It was not the focus of this dissertation to add the non-geometric data of the dam structures. The reason for inserting the geometry was the visualization of each structural components by the cross sections that can contribute during the instrumentation data analysis. However, this point corresponds to an improvement for future work, since the integrated analysis, considering construction data, such as test data that indicate the technological control of the compaction of the landfill layers, can be an important source of information for possible problem identified during the instrumentation analysis. Figure 19 – Geometry process generation.
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ 39 Figure 20 shows the code developed in dynamo. The code was divided into three steps namely (i) importing the data, (ii) creating the geometry, and (iii) exporting the geometry to BIM platform. For these three steps, the set of codes used for each of them were grouped and defined by three different colors as shown in Figure 20. Details can be better seen in Appendix 1 of this dissertation. Figure 20 – Dynamo script to create dam geometry. The first part of the code is import from Excel the geometry points of each of the structures (embankment, core and drain) and from the BIM platform the dam axis. The second part of the code corresponds to the creation of the geometry. It starts with the creation of the axis dams, then the line imported from BIM plataform is discretized, and the nurbscurve is generated. The cross section of each structure is created by a python code showed in Appendix 1. The whole cross section is extruded along the nurbscurve, by using the Sweep.AsSolid component. To define the embankment structure, the solid created is extruded by using the Solid.Diferrence component. Finally, the geometry created is exported to BIM platform as a family instance. 4.2. Database As shown Figure 15 one of the activities consists of creating a database of the instrumentation of an embankment dam already built and in operation. The data is currently in Excel spreadsheets. Each instrument corresponds to a different excel spreadsheet. As discussed in item 3.3 of this dissertation, there are several types of DBMS available for processing, manipulating, and sharing different types of data. As instrumentation data are found in Excel spreadsheets, they correspond to structured data, that are like the date structure of Relational DBMS. There are some Relational DBMS tools available on the market. The DBMS chosen to develop the database was SQLite because it is a tool available for free, it does not offer restrictions or limit of attributes and data permanence. It is also easy to automate and manipulate the database creation, by textual programming. In addition, the connection between the BIM model and the database becomes easy using the visual programming language, the connection doesn’t need a server because this 1 2 3
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ 40 database reads and writes directly form the disk file. This kind of database have also had successful application with BIM model, and item 3.3 shows some of these applications and the main characteristics of the Relational database. Figure 21 shows the conceptual schema of the database created. The relations (tables) were numbered to facilitate the explanation. For each attribute the following are defined: the variable, name, value type, and if it can accept null value or not. The three-value types defined in Figure 21 are: (i) char, text variable; (ii) int, integer value; (iii) real, float value. The relationship between each database table is defined for a row with one point and three points, that means from one to many respectively. The primary and foreign key are defined by the letter PK and FK, before the variable, some of relation has more than one FK, in this case they are enumerated. The relation defined as 1 and named as "GeneralInformation" contains the general information about the project, such as name, location, type of dam (zoned, rockfill, among others), the use declaration (water supply, energy generation, mining waste containment, among others), the maximum height and dam classification. The PK is defined as sequential integer number and unique, named as “ProjectNumber”. This database table establishes a one-to-many relationship with the database table number 2, named “Instrument” this connection is made by the attribute called “ProjectNumber”. This parameter is PK in relation (table) 1 and FK in relation (table) 2. The relation 2 contains the general information about the instrument like instrument name, geographic position and foundation level. The PK is a sequential integer number and unique, named as “Inst_ID”, and establish the connection with two relations (tables) numbered as 3 and 5a and named as “DI_General” and “SP_Ring”, respectively. The relation 3 contains data information, about the date of instrumentation measurement, the ID of the technical team responsible for the measurement. This information is an FK that comes from the relation number 4, named “Persons”. Relation (tables) numbered with 5 (a and b), 6(a and b), 7 and 8 are tables of instruments measurement, such as: settlement platform/gage, inclinometer, surface settlement and piezometer, respectively. For each settlement platform/gage instrument, there are n rings, that are numbered as is shown in Figure 22. Information like name of each magnetic ring, installation date and geometric dimension of each ring does not change, in addition for each ring there are many measurements that depends on the measurement date, therefore two relations (tables) were created for this instrument, 5a and 5b. Relation 5a correspond to the Ring information relation (table) and the 5b corresponds to the measurements relation (table) for this instrument, that has two FK one correspond to “DataInformation” relation and the another the “SP_Ring” (ring information). For the inclinometer instrument there are two relations, 6a and 6b, but just to separate the measurement form the calculation, as shown in Figure 21. For the other two instruments, surface settlement and piezometer, there is just one relation, 7 and 8, respectively, with the final result for each one (Figure 21).
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ 47 5. CASE STUDY – ODELOUCA DAM This chapter shows the application of the entire process developed and described in item 4 of this dissertation. The process was applied in an existing embankment dam in operation phase. The main objective is to demonstrate the applicability of the BIM model as a tool to assist in dam safety analysis. 5.1. Description Odelouca dam is an embankment dam located at north of Silves, on the Ribeira de Odelouca, the main tributary of the River Arade. The dam use is water supply and has a crowning level at 106 m and a maximum height above the foundation of 76 m. The crest is 11 m wide and about 415 m long, with two straight stretches connected by a curved stretch on the right bank. Figure 26 and Figure 27 show the Odelouca Dam in plan and the cross section respectively. In the cross section (Figure 27) it is possible to visualize the zoned section, with the core that performs the watertight function, the upstream stabilizer mass incorporating the cofferdam. The separation between the core and the downstream stabilizer mass is made by a filter, 3 m wide, which will extend as a drainage, 0.5 m thick, under the downstream stabilizer mass (LNEC, 2007). Figure 26 – Odelouca dam plan (AQUALOGOS, 2005 apud. LNEC, 2007).
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ 48 The flow percolated through the core and part of the flow coming from the foundation will be collected in a drainage ditch located immediately downstream of the core, in contact with the foundation. This ditch will have an exit to the outside in the central area of the valley, materialized by its extension towards the downstream foot. The entire flow that will access this belt will then be collected in the transversal drainage gallery or in the pumping well. The exterior geometry of the dam, the upstream slope will be inclined at 1:2.25 (V:H), below the berm at an elevation of 66.5 m, and at 1:2 (V:H), above of that berm. Downstream, the slope will be inclined at 1:2.25 (V:H), above the foot berm in rockfill at an elevation of 46 m, and at 1:1.5 (V:H), below this berm. On this slope there will be two other berms, at 86 m and 66 m, all 3 m wide. Figure 27 – Odelouca dam section (AQUALOGOS, 2005 apud. LNEC, 2007). Figure 28 shows the installation locations of the instruments: surface marks, settlement batteries, inclinometers, and piezometers. This drawing is part of the observation plan planning prepared by LNEC. These instrumentations were installed and distributed along 15 observation cross sections, some important information about each instruments is describes as following: • Surface settlement installed along six longitudinal alignments located on the upstream face, on the crown, upstream and downstream, and on the berms; • Piezometers, installed from the crown inserted in the core, upstream and downstream, in transverse profiles equally spaced along the development of the dam, with different heights and foundation conditions; • Settlement gauges, installed during the construction of the embankment in upstream and downstream crowning alignments, at first filling and exploration phases, located in the central area of the dam, where the embankments reach the greatest height, six settlement batteries in profiles displaced about 2.5 m to the right bank; • Inclinometers, necessary for reading the internal displacements in the horizontal plane installed after construction, in the same position of the settlement gauges. The observation plan defined by LNEC also includes other instruments for seismological monitoring and pressure cells at the interface between concrete structures and landfill.
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ 49 Figure 28 – Instrument location (modificated from LNEC, 2007). Monitoring plans provide installation details and sample measurement tables. The detailing of these properties is essential to guarantee the safety of the dam structure. 5.2. BIM model developed and results The instruments at the Odelouca dam, as in most dams around the world, do not have connected instruments, with real-time transmission. Parameter measurements are often still performed with paper forms that are later digitized and sent to the technical responsible for instrumentation evaluation. In the case of the Odelouca dam, there is a different spreadsheet in Excel for each of the instruments, which makes an integrated analysis of the results difficult, with the analysis being carried out essentially two-dimensional and individualized for each instrument. In most cases the analysis is carried out on each of the cross sections defined in the observation plan.
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ 50 Given the above, it is interesting to concentrate the instrumentation data in the same database and visualize the results in an integrated and three-dimensional way. In addition, some data analysis tools allow a differentiated evaluation of data, based on statistical models of correlation of information and data. The following item presents, in a simplified way and just for one instrument, an example of application of the connection between different tools in order to integrate information, concentrate in the same database and visualize it in a different way, either through visualization three-dimensional or even by dashboard. According to the workflow shown in Figure 29, the process starts with defining the threedimensional geometry. The geometry developed in this project was simplified and limited to the upstream and downstream embankment, core and the vertical filter. Figure 15 shows a view of the created three-dimensional model. Figure 29 – Dam BIM model. From the creation of the relational database with all the data measurement and information from the instruments referring to the settlement battery, it was possible to establish a connection with the BIM model. This connection allowed automatic plotting of the position of the instruments, the data measurement, and additional information for each instrument. Figure 30 shows the 3D visualization of the instrumentation data at BIM model. It was also possible to establish the database connection with tools for creating a dashboard, facilitating the integrated analysis of the data, as show in Figure 31.
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ 51 Figure 30 – 3D visualization BIM model. Figure 31 – Instrument data dashboard. This is just an example of visualization of instrumentation results, it is possible to improve the visualization. As well as add all the other instruments for a proper dam safety analysis. However, this study showed that the field of application is promising and allows the visualization and analysis of instrumentation in a three-dimensional way. The connection with the database allows the collection off all the data in same place. Also, if the instruments relate to real-time acquisition and connected with a database, it reduces the time for collecting, processing and the data analyses. Another good potential is associated with different data analysis to predict the behavior of the dam structure, from the existing instrumentation data, making it possible to anticipate bad behavior and prevent dam failure.
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ 52 This page is intentionally left blank
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ 53 6. CONCLUSION AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS This dissertation objective was the use BIM model to improve the data analysis of instrumentation records in embankment dams. The motivation results from the identification of some pitfalls of manual data analysis acquisition procedure that still carried out in some embankment dams, namely: (i) data available in different files formats, not allowing a concentrated and integrated analysis and (ii) lack of automated processes to connect information in different types of data analysis and visualization tools. The application of BIM model in infrastructure works to solve similar problems has been widely studied, mainly with the introduction of other technologies such as UAV, IoT, and AI. However, this application for dams is still limited, with some works being found for concrete dams. The application for embankment dams is still quite limited. The work developed intended to show some potential applications of BIM model for existing embankment dams, focusing on the data analysis of instrumentation in dams during the operation phase. The main conclusions of this dissertation can be summarized as: • From the As-is analysis it was possible to identify the main oportunities of instrumentation measurements that are still performed manually such as: establishment of the connection between the existing instrumentation data sheets with the relational database automatically, being possible to record data efficiently and quickly; • Establishment of the database connection with the BIM model in order to guarantee the concentration of information (instrumentation and geometry) in a single model. The connection between the BIM model and the database was established through the connection of the BIM object of the setelment gage instrument; • For data visualization, it was verified that there are resources to perform this type of visualization in the BIM model, being a promising tool. However, it still needs great advances for data analysis, requiring the development of more advanced codes for visualization or even for data analysis. In this sense, the integration with existing tools that allow data analysis and visualization becomes efficient, and this is one of the possibilities tested during this work, which showed that this connection between database and data analysis tools is also possible; • The application of the processes developed in the Odelouca embankment dam, showed that the use of the BIM model for instrumentation analysis is promising, although the example shown is simplified and restricted to only one instrument. 6.1. Future developments The application of BIM models to analyze the safety of embankment dams is promising, but there are still great challenges for the integrated analysis of all dam information to be carried out in an
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ 54 integrated manner. One of the most interesting points is add all the instrumentation data and information into a BIM model for a proper dam safety analysis, and integrated analyses. For this, here are some points for future study work to integrated data for safety embankment dams analysis: • Create a PDT of all geotecnical instrumentation; • Structure the database with information of the other geotechnical instrumentation, field tests, and information from visual inspection; • Incorporate at BIM model data from the dam construction, construction phases, zoning and mapping of the materials used; • Establish procedures to connect the BIM model with tools for numerical analysis of stress x strain, flow network to verify dam stability; • Establish procedures for data analysis, using existing tools or creating codes to predict the behavior of the dam based on data from instrumentation, construction and material behavior, and AI can be used; • Establish connection with devices for automated instrument reading and real-time connection with the database, in order to ensure continuous monitoring and analysis of results.
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ 55 REFERENCES Altohami, A. B. A. et al. (2021) ‘Investigating approaches of integrating BIM, IoT, and facility management for renovating existing buildings: A review’, Sustainability (Switzerland), 13(7). doi: 10.3390/su13073930. American Society of Civil Engineers (1995) ‘Instrumentation of embankment dams and levees’, Technical engineering and design guides as adapted from the US Army Corps of Engineers. no. 26, (June), p. 88. Buffi, G. et al. (2018) ‘Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Uav) and Building Information Modelling (Bim) Technologies in Concrete Dam Management: The case of Ridracoli’, New Frontiers of Construction Management Workshop, 09(13). doi: 10.6092/issn.2036-1602/8817. Capolongo, S. et al. (2020) ‘COVID-19 and cities: From urban health strategies to the pandemic challenge. a decalogue of public health opportunities’, Acta Biomedica, 91(2), pp. 13–22. doi: 10.23750/abm.v91i2.9515. Carlos, C., Steven, M. and Peter, R. (2018) Database System: Design, Implementation, and Management, Management. CDA (2007) Dam Safety Guidelines 2007. 2013 Editi. Edited by C. D. Association. Canada. Clarkson, L. and Williams, D. (2020) ‘Critical review of tailings dam monitoring best practice’, International Journal of Mining, Reclamation and Environment. Taylor & Francis, 34(2), pp. 119– 148. doi: 10.1080/17480930.2019.1625172. Coetzee, G. L. (2018) ‘Smart construction monitoring of dams with UAVS - Neckartal dam water project phase 1’, Smart Dams and Reservoirs - Proceedings of the 20th Biennial Conference of the British Dam Society, pp. 445–456. doi: 10.1680/sdar.64119.445. Correa, S. L. M. and Santos, E. T. (2021) BIM Support in the Tendering Phase of Infrastructure Projects, Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering. Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3030-51295-8_27. Cruz, P. T. (1996) 100 barragens brasileiras: casos históricos, materiais de construção, projeto. São Paulo: Oficina de Textos. Dunnicliff, J. (1988) Geotechnical instrumentation for monitoring field performance. United States of America: Wiley. Eastman, C.M, Teicholz, P.Sacks, R. and Liston, K. 2011 (2018) A Guide to Building Information Modelling for Owners, Managers, Designers, Engineers and Contractors, Wiley and Sons. Elmasri, R. and Navathe, S. (2011) Sistemas de banco de dados. 6.ed. São Paulo: Wesley. Evans, J. E. et al. (2000) ‘Lessons from a dam failure’, Ohio Journal of Science, 100(5), pp. 121– 131. Fell, R., MacGregor, P. and Stapledon, D. (1992) Geotechnical engineering of embankment dams. Rotterdam: A.A. Balkema.
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ 56 Fernandes, L. P. B. (2015) An integrated model for simulation of construction phasing of arch concrete dams, Msc Dissertation. Fonseca, A. da R. (2003) AUSCULTAÇÃO POR INSTRUMENTAÇÃO DE BARRAGENS DE TERRA E ENROCAMENTO PARA GERAÇÃO DE ENERGIA ELÉTRICA – ESTUDO DE CASO DAS BARRAGENS DA UHE SÃO SIMÃO. Foster, M., Fell, R. and Spannagle, M. (2000) ‘The statistics of embankment dam failures and accidents’, Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 37(5), pp. 1000–1024. doi: 10.1139/t00-030. Fusaro, T. C. (2007) Estabelecimento Estatístico de Valores de Controle para a Instrumentação de Barragens de Terra: Estudo de Caso das Barragens de Emborcação e Piau. Haije, E. G. (2019) Business Intelligence Tools in 2021: An Overview. Available at: https://mopinion.com/business-intelligence-bi-tools-overview/ (Accessed: 5 August 2021). IBM (no date) Inteligência de negócios. Available at: https://www.ibm.com/br-pt/analytics/businessintelligence?p1=Search&p4=43700052630812583&p5=e&gclid=Cj0KCQjwssyJBhDXARIsAK98I TTjTJ5NPjRPaFuXtf7GeieC4ONhiuhd3jEZqOvh20AE72DIsUlEPG4aAjFTEALw_wcB&gclsrc=a w.ds (Accessed: 5 August 2021). ICOLD (2017a) ‘DAM SAFETY MANAGEMENT: Operational phase of the dam life cycle’, Bulletin 154, p. 244. Available at: http://www.icold-cigb.org./. ICOLD (2017b) ‘RECOMMENDATIONS FOR OPERATION, maintenance and rehabilitation’, Bulletin 168, p. 132. Available at: http://www.icold-cigb.org./. Ji, S. and Hu, T. (2019) ‘Construction Simulation and Real-time Monitoring Research of Concrete Dam Based on BIM’, IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 340(5). doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/304/5/052056. Korth, H. F. and Silberschatz, A. (1991) Database system concepts, McGraw-Hill computer science series ; McGraw-Hill series in systems. doi: 10.1145/253671.253760. Liu, H. F. et al. (2018) ‘Study of a gray genetic BP neural network model in fault monitoring and a diagnosis system for dam safety’, ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information, 7(1). doi: 10.3390/ijgi7010004. LNEC (2007) Barragem de odelouca. Plano de observação. Relatório. Lopes, A. B. and Boscarioli, C. (2020) ‘Business intelligence and analytics to support management in construction: a systematic literature review’, Revista Brasileira de Computação Aplicada, 13(1), pp. 27–41. doi: 10.5335/rbca.v13i1.11346. Lopes, J. M. F. (2017) ‘BIM Application in the Evaluation of Airport Infrastructures’. Manico, H. (2018) ‘Pavimentos rodoviários flexíveis em Angola .’ Marques Filho, P. L. and Geraldo, A. (1998) ‘Barragens e Reservatórios’, in Oliveira, A. M. dos S. and Brito, S. N. A. de (eds) Geologia de Engenharia. São Pauolo: Associação Brasileira de Geologia de Engenharia, p. 587. Nasrat, A. et al. (2020) ‘Dam Safety Problems Related to Seepage’, Research Gate, 10(6), pp. 191– 239. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342329857_Dam_Safety_Problems_Related_to_Seepage.
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ 63 Figure 34 show the visual code to generate the geometry, which involves creating the polygon, extruding it along the axis (solid), and cutting the solid to generate the geometry corresponding to the embankment dam. Figure 35, Figure 36 and Figure 37 shows, respectively, the python code to define the polygon points for drain, core and embankment structures of dam. Figure 34 – Dynamo script to create dam geometry. 2 3 4
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ 64 Figure 35 – Python code to create drain points geometry. 2
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ 65 Figure 36 – Python code to create core points geometry. 3
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ 66 Figure 37 – Python code to create external points geometry. 4
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ 67 Finally, Figure 38 show the visual code to export the geometry to BIM model. Figure 38 – Dynamo script to export dam geometry.
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ 68 This page is intentionally left blank
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ 69 APPENDIX 2: DATABASE CODE Figure 39 show the python code to connect Jupyter Notebook to SQLite and create the database. Figure 40 shows python code to check if the information exists and write to the database if it is not an existing information. Figure 39 – Code create database.
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ 70 Figure 40 – Code write and verify duplicated data.
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ 71 APPENDIX 3: DATABASE AND BIM MODEL CONECTION Figure 41 shows the visual programming that connects the database and assigns the information to the BIM object. Figure 42 shows the python code to connect Dynamo to SQLite. Figure 41 – Connection between database and BIM model to position elements.
BIM for information management in structural safety control of embankment dams Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme – ERASMUS+ European Master in Building Information Modelling BIM A+ 72 Figure 42 – Python code to read data from SQLite.