Projects : Low-Head Hydropower Development

D’Appolonia, a Dynamic Power Technologies Group company, was retained by hydropower developers to provide engineering services for development of low-head hydropower plants at dams on the Allegheny River near Pittsburgh, PA. The scope of work for these projects has included: (1) evaluation of the strength and integrity of concrete components and foundations of the dams through coring of the dams and foundations and laboratory testing of concrete and rock samples obtained, (2) evaluation of soil conditions in the area of proposed construction and development of foundation recommendations, (3) design of cofferdams for dewatering the construction area, (4) performance of flood routing studies to determine the effects of temporary river blockage by cofferdams and permanent channel reduction associated with the power plant construction, and (5) design of remedial measures to restore and protect power distribution structures from the effects of flooding and erosion of foundations.