Dam vertical face crack seepage flow detection system

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of dam vertical dam face crack seepage flow detection systems, dam vertical dam face crack seepage flow detection system includes: seepage flow detection device, seepage flow detection device includes water collecting tank, water inlet, water tank tipper, support steel structure and fixed screw, water collecting tank is laid under crack in concave type, the bottom of water collecting tank is inclined and connected to water inlet, support steel structure one end is fixed on dam body by fixed screw, support steel structure other end connects water tank tipper, water tank tipper is fixed below water inlet, when crack expands, crack seepage water flows into water collecting tank, and after passing through water inlet, it flows into water tank tipper, when the water capacity that water tank tipper collects reaches preset capacity, water tank tipper automatically overturns and empties. The present application can assist operating personnel to detect dam crack seepage flow at low cost, reduce the capital cost of crack overhaul.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of seepage detection in dam cracks, and in particular to a seepage flow detection system for vertical dam face cracks. Background Technology

[0002] Cracks are a common problem in hydropower dams, and their causes are complex, including earthquakes, geological disasters, defects in raw materials, poor construction quality, changes in environmental conditions, improper use, and uneven foundation settlement. According to the standards for identifying cracks in concrete dams, cracks of 0.2mm ≤ & < 0.3mm and with a length of 100cm ≤ & < 200cm are considered Class II dams. These cracks have a certain impact on the dam, but due to the dam's height and steep slope, routine maintenance is difficult, and it's impossible to determine whether the seepage will continue to expand. If the seepage expands, it can lead to internal damage, and in severe cases, even dam failure, causing huge property losses. Furthermore, dam maintenance is expensive; for many small and medium-sized dams, it's a waste of money to inspect low-risk cracks. Therefore, how to detect the seepage flow rate of dam cracks is an urgent problem to be solved. Utility Model Content

[0003] This invention aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this invention proposes a seepage flow detection system for vertical dam face cracks, which can assist operators in detecting seepage flow from dam cracks at a low cost, thereby reducing the financial cost of crack repair.

[0004] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a seepage flow detection system for vertical dam face cracks. The seepage flow detection system for vertical dam face cracks includes a seepage flow detection device, which includes a water collection trough (1), a sinkhole (2), a water tank tipping bucket (3), a supporting steel structure (4), and fixing screws (5). The water collection trough (1) is laid in a concave shape below the crack. The bottom of the water collection trough (1) is inclined and connected to the sinkhole (2). One end of the supporting steel structure (4) is fixed to the dam body by fixing screws (5), and the other end of the supporting steel structure (4) is connected to the water tank tipping bucket (3). The water tank tipping bucket (3) is fixed below the sinkhole (2). When the crack expands, the water seeping out of the crack flows into the water collection trough (1), and after passing through the sinkhole (2), it flows into the water tank tipping bucket (3). When the water volume collected by the water tank tipping bucket (3) reaches the preset capacity, the water tank tipping bucket (3) automatically tilts and falls over.

[0005] The seepage flow detection system of this invention has at least the following beneficial effects: After the water collection tank 1 is installed along the crack direction, the leaking water is collected along the inclined surface of the water collection tank into the dropper 2. The water flows down the vertical tubular dropper 2 at an accelerated speed and flows into the inner cavity of the water tank tipping bucket 3. When the water volume in the water tank tipping bucket 3 accumulates to a preset threshold, the center of gravity shifts, triggering the tipping mechanism, and the water collection state is reset simultaneously during the tipping process. The operator starts timing from the beginning of water collection to the tipping process of the water tank tipping bucket 3, and stops timing when the water tank tipping bucket 3 automatically tipps over, thus obtaining the water collection time. The capacity water level line at the time of tipping is recorded in advance on the water tank tipping bucket 3. The hourly seepage flow can be calculated by using the water collection time, capacity water level line, and bottom area of ​​the water tank tipping bucket 3. This system can assist operators in detecting the seepage flow of dam cracks at a low cost, reducing the financial cost of crack repair.

[0006] According to other embodiments of the present invention, the seepage detection system supports the steel structure (4) being made of any of the following materials: austenitic stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel and duplex stainless steel.

[0007] According to other embodiments of the present invention, the seepage flow detection system further includes a camera, which is positioned close to the seepage flow detection device and is aimed at the water tank tipping bucket (3) for photographing the water tank tipping bucket (3) tilting.

[0008] According to other embodiments of the present invention, the water tank tipping bucket (3) is a tipping bucket-type rain sensor that removes the rain collection funnel, and the inlet of the tipping bucket-type rain sensor is sealed and connected to the rain tank (2) through a silicone tube.

[0009] According to other embodiments of the present invention, a seepage flow detection system is provided by attaching a polytetrafluoroethylene coating to the inner wall of the water tank tipper (3).

[0010] According to other embodiments of the seepage detection system of the present invention, a limiting plate (6) is provided on the side wall of the water tank tipping bucket (3) near the dam body. The limiting plate (6) is used to abut against the long plate extending from the drop chamber (2) near the dam body when the water tank tipping bucket (3) starts to receive water.

[0011] Other features and advantages of this application will be set forth in the following description and will be apparent in part from the description or may be learned by practicing the application. The objectives and other advantages of this application may be realized and obtained by means of the structures particularly pointed out in the description and the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a side view of a specific embodiment of the seepage flow detection system in this invention.

[0013] Figure 2 This is a top view of a specific embodiment of the seepage flow detection system in this invention.

[0014] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0015] 1. Water collection trough, 2. Water inlet, 3. Water tank tipping bucket, 4. Supporting steel structure, 5. Fixing screws, 6. Limiting plate. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The following will describe the concept and technical effects of this utility model clearly and completely with reference to the embodiments, so as to fully understand the purpose, features and effects of this utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, not all embodiments. Other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this utility model without creative effort are all within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0017] In the description of this utility model, if directional descriptions are involved, such as "up," "down," "front," "back," "left," "right," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, it is only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model. If a feature is referred to as "set," "fixed," "connected," or "installed" on another feature, it can be directly set, fixed, or connected to the other feature, or it can be indirectly set, fixed, connected, or installed on the other feature.

[0018] The following will describe the concept and technical effects of the present invention clearly and completely with reference to embodiments, so as to fully understand the purpose, features and effects of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are all within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0019] In the description of this invention, if directional descriptions are involved, such as "up," "down," "front," "back," "left," "right," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, it is only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the invention. If a feature is referred to as "set," "fixed," "connected," or "installed" on another feature, it can be directly set, fixed, or connected to the other feature, or it can be indirectly set, fixed, connected, or installed on the other feature.

[0020] Cracks are a common problem in hydropower dams, and their causes are complex, including earthquakes, geological disasters, defects in raw materials, poor construction quality, changes in environmental conditions, improper use, and uneven foundation settlement. According to the standards for identifying cracks in concrete dams, cracks of 0.2mm ≤ & < 0.3mm and with a length of 100cm ≤ & < 200cm are considered Class II dams. These cracks have a certain impact on the dam, but due to the dam's height and steep slope, routine maintenance is difficult, and it's impossible to determine whether the seepage will continue to expand. If the seepage expands, it can lead to internal damage, and in severe cases, even dam failure, causing huge property losses. Furthermore, dam maintenance is expensive; for many small and medium-sized dams, it's a waste of money to inspect low-risk cracks. Therefore, how to detect the seepage flow rate of dam cracks is an urgent problem to be solved.

[0021] This invention aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this invention proposes a seepage flow detection system for vertical dam face cracks, which can assist operators in detecting seepage flow from dam cracks at a low cost, thereby reducing the financial cost of crack repair.

[0022] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 , Figure 1 A side view of the seepage flow detection system for vertical dam face cracks in an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2 A top view of a seepage flow detection system for vertical dam face cracks in an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In some embodiments, the seepage flow detection system for vertical dam face cracks includes: a seepage flow detection device, which includes a water collection trough 1, a sink 2, a water tank tipping bucket 3, a supporting steel structure 4, and fixing screws 5. The water collection trough 1 is concave and laid below the crack. The bottom of the water collection trough 1 is inclined and connected to the sink 2. One end of the supporting steel structure 4 is fixed to the dam body by the fixing screws 5, and the other end of the supporting steel structure 4 is connected to the water tank tipping bucket 3. The water tank tipping bucket 3 is fixed below the sink 2. When the crack expands, the water seeping out of the crack flows into the water collection trough 1, and after passing through the sink 2, flows into the water tank tipping bucket 3. When the water volume collected by the water tank tipping bucket 3 reaches a preset capacity, the water tank tipping bucket 3 automatically tilts over.

[0023] It should be noted that the water collection trough 1 refers to a flow guiding component with a concave cross-section. The length of the trough can be adjusted according to the extension range of the crack. The concave structure of the water collection trough 1 can conform to the vertical dam surface to receive seepage water from the crack, and the inclined bottom surface forms a gravity flow path. The drain bladder 2 refers to the transition pipe connecting the water collection trough 1 and the water tank tipping bucket 3. The smoothness of the inner wall must allow for smooth water flow. The pipe diameter of the drain bladder 2 must be designed to match the estimated seepage flow rate to prevent water overflow. The supporting steel structure 4 refers to the load-bearing frame connecting the dam body and the water tank tipping bucket 3. The cross-sectional dimensions are determined based on the self-weight of the device and wind load calculations. The rigid connection characteristics ensure the stability of the water tank tipping bucket 3 in complex environments. The water tank tipping bucket 3 refers to a container with a quantitative tipping function. The mechanical triggering mechanism enables automatic metering under conditions without power.

[0024] After the water collection trough 1 is installed along the crack direction, the leaking water collects along the inclined surface of the trough into the drain chamber 2. The water flows down the vertical tubular drain chamber 2 at an accelerated speed and flows into the inner cavity of the water tank tipping bucket 3. When the water volume in the water tank tipping bucket 3 accumulates to a preset threshold, the center of gravity shifts, triggering the tipping mechanism, and the water collection state is reset simultaneously during the tipping process. The operator times the process from the start of water collection to tipping of the water tank tipping bucket 3, and stops the timer when the water tank tipping bucket 3 automatically tipes over, thus obtaining the water collection time. The capacity water level line at the time of tipping is recorded on the water tank tipping bucket 3 in advance. By using the water collection time, capacity water level line, and bottom area of ​​the water tank tipping bucket 3, the hourly seepage flow rate can be calculated. This can assist operators in detecting the seepage flow rate of dam cracks at a low cost, reducing the financial cost of crack repair.

[0025] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the supporting steel structure 4 is made of any of the following materials: austenitic stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, and duplex stainless steel.

[0026] It should be noted that austenitic stainless steel contains 18%-20% Cr and 8%-10% Ni. At room temperature, it has an austenitic structure, strong resistance to neutral salt spray and water vapor corrosion, and good weldability. Using austenitic stainless steel welding wire (such as ER308) can prevent cracking. Ferritic stainless steel contains 16%-18% Cr and no Ni. Its cost is lower than 304. It meets the requirements for atmospheric corrosion and mild water vapor corrosion, and has moderate weldability. Welding temperature needs to be controlled to avoid grain coarsening. Duplex stainless steel has both austenitic and ferritic structures. Its resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion far exceeds that of 304. It is suitable for occasional water seepage, has high strength (tensile strength greater than or equal to 620 MPa), and stable weldability.

[0027] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the seepage flow detection system also includes a camera, which is positioned close to the seepage flow detection device and aimed at the water tank tipping bucket 3 to capture images of the water tank tipping bucket 3 tilting.

[0028] It should be noted that the camera can be a waterproof infrared camera, with its lens fixedly aimed at the tilting area of ​​the water tank tipping bucket 3. The camera is not located within... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The camera is positioned to ensure that the shooting angle covers the flipping trajectory of the water tank tipping bucket 3.

[0029] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the water tank tipping bucket 3 is a tipping bucket-type rain sensor that removes the rain collection funnel, and the water inlet of the tipping bucket-type rain sensor is sealed and connected to the water dropper 2 through a silicone tube.

[0030] It should be noted that removing the rainwater collection funnel refers to removing the conical component at the top of the traditional rain sensor used to expand the water collection area. The water collection trough 1 and the water inlet 2 of the seepage flow detection device can already achieve accurate water guidance, eliminating the need for the rainwater collection funnel of the tipping-type rain sensor. This avoids errors caused by water adhering to the inner wall of the rainwater collection funnel and facilitates installation and fixation in narrow spaces on the dam surface. The silicone tube sealing connection refers to using a flexible silicone tube for water guidance. A matching silicone hose is fitted between the sensor's inlet and the outlet of the water inlet 2, ensuring that 100% of the seepage water collected in the collection trough flows into the sensor's tipping bucket, without leakage or splashing.

[0031] Specifically, the core of the tipping bucket rain gauge needs to be implemented through a "counting function," therefore, three auxiliary modules need to be added to realize the conversion of "tilting count → data → infiltration flow":

[0032] Signal acquisition module: Utilizing the reed switch or photoelectric switch built into the sensor, each time the bucket is triggered to flip, an electrical signal is output, replacing the manual "watching the flip time".

[0033] Data storage module: Connects to a small data logger to receive pulse signals in real time and record "flip time and cumulative flip count," storing several months of data to avoid manual omissions. The small data logger can include open-source controllers such as Arduino or ESP32.

[0034] Data transmission module: If remote monitoring is required, a 4G module or NB-IoT module can be installed on the data logger to wirelessly transmit data such as "number of flips and real-time seepage flow" to the dam monitoring platform, realizing "unattended operation and abnormal alarm", such as automatically pushing early warning when the seepage flow suddenly increases.

[0035] The modified tipping bucket rain gauge retains its core metering function. Its internal tipping mechanism achieves quantitative tilting through fulcrum balance. When seepage water collects in the collection trough and flows into the drainage chamber 2, it is directionally introduced into the sensor inlet via a silicone tube. Water continues to flow into the tipping bucket cavity until a preset volume threshold is reached. At this point, the tipping bucket's center of gravity shifts, triggering a tilting action to complete drainage. Simultaneously, a counting device records the number of tilts. Because the rain collection funnel has been removed, the overall size of the sensor is reduced, avoiding interference with other structures on the dam surface. The flexible connection characteristics of the silicone tube compensate for installation position deviations and prevent water overflow from causing metering errors.

[0036] Furthermore, in some embodiments, a polytetrafluoroethylene coating is adhered to the inner wall of the water tank tipping bucket 3.

[0037] It should be noted that applying a polytetrafluoroethylene coating to the inner wall of the water tank tipping bucket 3, or replacing it with a smoother stainless steel material, reduces the amount of water left on the pipe wall due to leakage, ensuring that the collected amount equals the amount flowing into the water tank tipping bucket.

[0038] Furthermore, in some embodiments, a limiting plate 6 is provided on the side wall of the water tank tipping bucket 3 near the dam body. The limiting plate 6 is used to hold against the long plate extending from the side of the water drop bladder 2 near the dam body when the water tank tipping bucket 3 starts to receive water.

[0039] It should be noted that the limiting plate 6 refers to the plate-like structure fixedly installed on the side wall of the water tank tipping bucket 3. This limiting plate 6 provides horizontal constraint to the water dropper 2 through rigid contact, preventing positional displacement caused by water flow impact during water intake. The long plate refers to the plate-like structure extending outward from the side of the water dropper 2 closest to the dam body. This long plate forms a contact surface with the limiting plate 6, establishing a stable mechanical limiting reference through geometric fit.

[0040] The device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the modules can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0041] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the embodiments of the present invention and the features thereof can be combined with each other unless otherwise specified.

Claims

1. A seepage flow detection system for vertical cracks on a dam face, characterized in that, The seepage flow detection system for vertical dam face cracks includes: a seepage flow detection device, which includes a water collection trough (1), a sinkhole (2), a water tank tipping bucket (3), a supporting steel structure (4), and fixing screws (5). The water collection trough (1) is laid in a concave shape below the crack. The bottom of the water collection trough (1) is inclined and connected to the sinkhole (2). One end of the supporting steel structure (4) is fixed to the dam body by fixing screws (5), and the other end of the supporting steel structure (4) is connected to the water tank tipping bucket (3). The water tank tipping bucket (3) is fixed below the sinkhole (2). When the crack expands, the water seeping out of the crack flows into the water collection trough (1), and after passing through the sinkhole (2), it flows into the water tank tipping bucket (3). When the water volume collected by the water tank tipping bucket (3) reaches the preset capacity, the water tank tipping bucket (3) automatically tilts and falls.

2. The seepage flow detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The supporting steel structure (4) is made of any of the following materials: austenitic stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel and duplex stainless steel.

3. The seepage flow detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The seepage flow detection system also includes a camera, which is positioned close to the seepage flow detection device and is aimed at the water tank tipping bucket (3) to capture the water tank tipping bucket (3) tilting.

4. The seepage flow detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tipping bucket (3) is a tipping bucket-type rain sensor that removes the rain collection funnel. The inlet of the tipping bucket-type rain sensor is sealed to the drain tank (2) through a silicone tube.

5. The seepage flow detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that, A polytetrafluoroethylene coating is pasted on the inner wall of the water tank tipping bucket (3).

6. The seepage flow detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that, A limiting plate (6) is provided on the side wall of the water tank tipping bucket (3) near the dam body. When the water tank tipping bucket (3) starts to receive water, the limiting plate (6) is used to hold the long plate extending from the drop chamber (2) near the dam body.

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