The scope of the work comprised a qualitative risk analysis of four EPM dams: Porce II, a 122 m high composite dam; Porce III, a 151 m high rockfill dam; Santa Rita, a 59.5 m high embankment dam; and Playas, a 65 m high embankment dam. The analysis included a Failure Mode Identification process for these infrastructures.
Activities carried out:
• Review of historical information on the performance of the structures, including design and construction reports, instrumentation reports, inspection reports, structural analyses, hydrological and hydraulic studies, repairs and Emergency Action Plans.
• Visual inspection of Porce II, Porce III, Santa Rita and Playas dams and their associated civil works, accompanied by the EPM engineers responsible for these structures.
• For Porce II, Porce III and Santa Rita dams, delivery of baseline Workshops to identify potential failure modes, involving EPM’s dam safety team and international experts.
• Compilation of the experts’ conclusions arising from the inspections and review of the available information, together with the preparation of dam safety recommendations agreed with EPM.
• Preparation of an individual report for each dam.
• Review of the available information and the failure modes identified for Playas Dam, completing the preliminary Failure Mode Identification study previously undertaken by EPM and harmonising the qualitative risk analysis criteria.
• Compilation and prioritisation of all recommendations arising from the Failure Mode Identification process in an overall report on the work undertaken.
• Preparation of general recommendations for continuing with the quantitative risk analysis of the dams, with Failure Mode Identification serving as the starting point for developing a risk-informed dam safety programme.
