Project for improving the auscultation systems of the Arquillo de San Blas, Benagéber and Loriguilla dams

Installation and implementation of a full auscultation and control system for the dams of Arquillo de San Blas (province of Teruel), Benagéber (province of Valencia) and Loriguilla (province of Valencia), located in the courses of the Guadalaviar and Turia rivers.

The work included the following activities:

Systematic and safety controls:

• Control of sub-pressures in the foundations
• Control of behaviour of draining screens and sub-pressures in drains
• Filtration control
•  Water table level control downstream from the dam
• Control of the structure's dynamic response to earthquakes (accelerographs)

Control of dam movements:

1. Relative horizontal movements of the crest when compared to the foundations, using pendulums.
2. The use of topography to control total movements of the crest and/or upper gallery
3. Relative movements between blocks, by controlling joints
4. Vertical movements using rod extensometers

Control of loads and environmental aspects

• Reservoir level control
• Ambient temperature control
• Rain gauge and evaporation control
• Atmospheric pressure control