At iPresas we offer specialised consultancy services, mainly in the application of risk analysis to the design, assessment and safety management of dams and other critical infrastructure.
In addition, since 2023 we have been promoting the application of risk analysis techniques to the mining industry in accordance with the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM).
We provide technical support for decision-making to maintain the highest level of safety. Our service ranges from the development of roadmaps and screening tools to the application of advanced risk analysis and calculation methodologies to facilitate effective prioritisation of investments.
We take a comprehensive approach to disaster risk management in infrastructure projects. Recognising the social and economic impact of natural hazards, we focus on designing and proposing effective risk mitigation strategies. This involves a rigorous assessment of current and future risks and the implementation of both structural and non-structural solutions to achieve maximum protection and sustainability.
We have extensive experience in the structural analysis and numerical modelling of dams, using advanced models to fully understand their structural behaviour. This specialisation allows us to improve the accuracy of identifying monitoring and maintenance needs to ensure maximum efficiency in safety management.
We apply our risk analysis methodology to tailings dams, which is aligned with the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM). We tailor our approach to the specific challenges faced by the industry, providing a sound basis for decision making to prevent incidents and protect the environment and neighbouring communities.
We work with international organisations, governments and companies to establish risk governance systems that effectively integrate risk management into infrastructure projects. Our aim is to minimise the social and economic impact of natural hazards. We develop policies, guidelines and technical manuals to improve decision-making in infrastructure management, thereby strengthening informed and risk-driven management.
We have extensive experience in a wide range of projects focused on the safety and performance of dams. Our team specialises in safety reviews, development of monitoring and surveillance manuals and analysis of the behaviour of hydraulic structures, including advanced CFD modelling. These projects reflect our commitment to a holistic approach to dam safety.
Organisations responsible for dam management need to address a wide range of risks that can impact on their strategic objectives, resulting in potential social, environmental and economic consequences.
At iPresas, we provide technical support for decision-making in order to comply with the best dam safety practices. This support covers all levels, from the design of roadmaps, portfolio screening tools or the implementation of the most advanced calculation and risk analysis tools to prioritise investments.
We have extensive experience in applying risk analysis techniques in a wide range of projects and have worked with many organisations as facilitators in failure mode identification processes for qualitative and/or quantitative risk analysis of different dam-reservoir systems. In addition, as part of our services, we offer our clients the implementation of pilot cases to train their teams in the application of risk analysis to their dam portfolio.
Learn more about our risk analysis methodology
Learn more about our risk analysis methodology
Natural disasters, and floods in particular, have an impact on society and cause worldwide significant costs in terms of loss of life and economic losses. For this reason, iPresas has been working with multilateral organisations, governments and companies to develop governance tools to integrate disaster risk management into infrastructure projects.
Disaster risk management in infrastructure projects should address existing and future risks, planning and implementation of disaster risk reduction measures (structural and non-structural), emergency response and post-disaster recovery planning. The aim is to increase human safety, reduce material damage and minimise the negative impact on the economy and society.
Among the risk management projects implemented by iPresas, we can find the following areas of action:
At iPresas we study the stress-strain and strength behaviour of dams using numerical models to support the analysis of the structural response of these infrastructures.
We use the latest numerical modelling tools and technologies, providing results from static, transient (for thermal and hydraulic effects) and dynamic (to evaluate the response to earthquakes) behaviour models. These types of models allow us to improve our knowledge of the behaviour of the dam and to better define the monitoring requirements.
It should be noted that the iPresas team has been an active participant in the ICOLD A Committee on Numerical Methods, as well as in the equivalent SPANCOLD Committee, over the last few years.
We carry out static and dynamic analyses, including the study of seepage and drainage, as well as the liquefaction potential and other inherently complex processes typical of structures that combine natural elements, but also in many cases artificial such as concrete face or asphalt cores.
We carry out analyses of sliding stability, time domain thermal analysis, analysis by construction stages, and analysis of the dynamic response, among others.
We apply a risk analysis methodology aligned with the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM). We recognise the critical importance of assessing and managing the risks associated with tailings dams, given their complexity and potential environmental and social impacts. Therefore, we tailor our approach to the specific challenges of the industry to address the unique characteristics of these structures and provide effective risk management in accordance with the ALARP principle (reducing risk as low as reasonably practicable).
Our aim is to provide a clear and detailed understanding of the risks, providing our clients with the necessary tools and knowledge to make risk-informed decisions, thereby strengthening the long-term safety and sustainability of tailings dams.
Collaborating with tailings storage facility operators and industry experts is key to our approach, ensuring that all aspects of risk analysis are considered and aligned with international best practices and stakeholder expectations.
We implement robust risk governance focused on the identification, assessment and effective management of risks throughout the infrastructure lifecycle. Our approach aims to ensure effective risk management that protects people, the environment and physical assets at all stages, from design to dismantling.
Through the development of risk policies, guidelines and technical manuals, we aim to ensure that every decision is well informed and in line with industry best practice.
At iPresas, we go beyond risk analysis and actively participate in the updating and creation of dam safety regulations at the international level. We have been involved in the development of the Inter-American Development Bank’s (IDB) Disaster and Climate Change Risk Assessment Methodology and the implementation of the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) in India, among many others. These initiatives demonstrate our commitment to promoting and developing risk management principles in dam safety worldwide.
We coordinate and develop different technical guidelines that incorporate key fundamentals in terms of risk analysis applied to dam safety management. Of particular note is our participation in the preparation of the “Guidelines for assessing and managing risks associated with Dams” published by the Central Water Commission of the Government of India in 2019, and our support in the drafting of the Technical Guide No. 8 (Volume 1) on “Risk analysis applied to management of dam safety” published by the Spanish National Committee on Large Dams (SPANCOLD) in 2012. In addition, since 2022, we are developing the “Nile Basin Reference Dam Safety Technical Guideline for basin wide use” and the “Nile Basin Reference Guideline on Emergency Action Planning for Dam Incidents and Failures” under a contract with the Eastern Nile Technical Regional Office (ENTRO).
We tailor our services to the specific needs of each client and offer a range of specialised dam safety studies. Our experience ranges from conducting safety reviews to developing monitoring and maintenance manuals and implementing advanced CFD models to study the hydraulic behaviour of spillways and bottom outlets.
We specialize in conducting comprehensive dam safety reviews, assessing their compliance with current best practices and regulations, offering practical recommendations to best address any deficiencies detected.
We develop detailed monitoring and surveillance manuals that provide essential guidance for effective dam inspection and monitoring. These manuals are key tools not only to improve the efficiency and safety of the management of these infrastructures, but also to equip professionals with clear and up-to-date information and procedures to ensure rigorous and systematic control of dam safety.
We use Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to simulate the flow of water in the dam outlet works, allowing detailed analysis of their behaviour and efficiency. Our CFD experts use this advanced technology to provide information that, by re-evaluating discharge curves, complements the quantitative risk analysis to improve dam safety.
