R.H. Saunders GS concrete growth mitigation project instrumentation and finite element analysis

In 1991, concrete expansion due to Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR), was diagnosed as the cause of operational and structural problems at R.H. Saunders Generating Station. Reestablishment of contraction joints between the generating units by cutting slots was initiated in January 1993 to relieve accumulated stresses and allow further expansion without deforming the turbine-generators. An integral part of the remedial measure is the installation of an extensive instrumentation system and development of detailed finite element models of the powerhouse structures. In total, two hundred and thirty five instruments have been installed. The instruments include surface extensometers, borehole extensometers, crackmeters, stressmeters, pendulums, thermocouples, borehole convergence meters and strain gauges. All the instruments are monitored continuously by an Automatic Data Acquisition System (ADAS) which allows instrument data to be evaluated remotely. This instrumentation system is being used to collect data on the structural concrete expansion and response to slot cutting. To complement the instrumentation data, three different finite element models have been developed for use. The models range from a very detailed representation of a single powerhouse unit to a less detailed model of the sixteen-unit powerhouse. The finite element models have been calibrated to reflect measured data and subsequently used to estimate themore » location and frequency of future cuts.« less