Estudo de uma barragem de terra com ênfase na análise estrutural e investigação geofísica

Abstract

Dams are structures that retain the waters of watercourses for different purposes. In response to the high amounts of confined water, proportionately sturdy structures are required. However, it is known that more simplified construction dams, such as earth dams, are often used, although they have structural characteristics that can be faulted. The main objective of this work is the application of direct and indirect methods of investigation in an earth dam, examining the correlation of the geotechnical and geophysical data, in order to subsidize the evaluation of the integrity and structures of the same. The study area is located in the city of Uruguaiana, extreme west of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The application of the direct method of analysis such as the geological and pedological mapping in the area allowed the interpretation of the foundation rocks and soils of construction. Computational analyzes of soil permeability and slope stability allowed the characterization of the geotechnical parameters intrinsic to the dams, which were integrated to the indirect investigation through the geophysics, method of electroresistance. The electrical imaging enabled the detection of water infiltrations in the dam body from the electrical resistivity variations of the medium complementing the geological and geotechnical data of the dam, aiding in the interpretation of the risks associated to the dam and its surroundings. The association of the data obtained by the methods proved to be a very effective and inexpensive monitoring tool for earth dam projects, in which the correlation between the methods contributed to an optimized and more realistic monitoring assessment of safety problems, thus favoring, a finding of proven structural and international stability in the study dam.