THE DARDANELOS HYDROELECTRIC

DEVELOPMENT ON THE ARIPUAN RIVER

This paper was written by Leonardo Borgatti, Pedro Diamante Miranda, Jos Piccolli Neto and Mara Fonseca da Cunha.
The figures were made by Pedro Diamante Miranda and Luciano Ouverney. The pictures were taken by Jeovane Alves Cordeiro.

Main Brazilian Dams III

THE DARDANELOS HYDROELECTRIC

DEVELOPMENT ON THE ARIPUAN RIVER
1. INTRODUCTION
The construction of Dardanelos Dam started in
September 2007 and is scheduled to end in October 2010
with the commissioning of the last generator unit.
Since this article was written in mid-2008 some
aspects of this plant described herein may not as closely
represent the as built project.
The owner of the development is Energtica guas
da Pedra S/A, Sociedade de Propsito Especfico (SPE),
which in turn is owned by the companies: Neoenergia,
Centrais Eltricas do Norte do Brasil - Eletronorte and
the Companhia Hidro-Eltrica do So Francisco - Chesf.
The powerhouse is located on the left bank of the
Aripuan river, by the city of the same name, in the
northern part of the state of Mato Grosso. Access is
through the city which is 950 km by land from the capital
of Cuiab.
The Aripuan river is part of the Amazon river basin
and is 1,110 km long from its headwaters in the North
Mountain Range in the Northwest of the state, to the
river end at the confluence with the Madeira river. The
river basin covers an area of 146,257 km and embraces
parts of the states of Mato Grosso, Rondnia and the
Amazon. In this region the climate is equatorial and
vegetation is dense, a characteristic of the Amazon
rainforest.
The inventory of the river for hydroelectric development
was carried out in 2001 by ANEEL - Agncia Nacional
de Energia Eltrica, and FUMEC - Fundao Mineira de
Educao e Cultura. These studies covered a 140 km
length of the Aripuan river, from the confluence with the
Branco river to the Lontra stream.
The inventory studies for Dardanelos' dam were revised
in August 2005, with the purpose of integrating it with
three other hydroelectric developments in the same area
- Aripuan, Faxinal l and Faxinal ll,
The interconnection of Dardanelos with the regional
power line wasn't changed during the revision, and the
connection with Juna's substation was maintained as it
was the most economical alternative.
To carry out the design, construction and equipment
erection of the development, a turnkey contract for
Engineering, Procurement and Construction was signed
with the Dardanelos Construction Consortium.
This consortium consists in the following companies:
Odebrecht, IMPSA and PCE, which are responsible
respectively for the civil works, equipment procurement
and erection, and the final design of the project.

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2. DESCRIPTION OF THE
DEVELOPMENT
The hydroelectric development consists in the
construction of a dam with a powerhouse to harness the
hydraulic energy of the Aripuan river. The main technical
data of the development are listed in Table 1.
Ever since the feasibility studies certain
characteristics of the site area influenced the definition
of the initial layout, of which the main ones were:
The topography of the site along the Aripuan river,
known as the Dardanelos and Andorinhas (Swallows)
Falls, where there are falls and rapids with a 100 m drop;
Intense human occupation of the right river bank, which
is in the city of Aripuan;
The main river leisure areas for the city's inhabitants on
the upstream and downstream side of the rapids and
falls and on the banks of the islands and sandstone river
slabs, where two water parks and infrastructure are
situated;
Strong components of landscape, ecology, scenery and
tourist attraction, of rare beauty, characterised by the
waterfalls, rapids, forested islands and jagged rock
outcrops;
The dense vegetation of the Amazon rainforest which
covers most of the left bank;
Three small operating hydroelectric powerplants
complete the list and were factors that had to be
considered with minimum negative impacts.
In all phases of the design, the project layout was
always guided by these characteristics and conditions,
which are the criteria that are being maintained since
the feasibility studies.

Table 1 - Technical Data of the Development

The concentration of the head difference in the area

and the topography of the upstream part of the rapids led
to the site development in a diversion with a low height
dam that conveys water to the headrace channel and

Main Brazilian Dams III

finally to the hydraulic circuit.

This characteristic with the design of an ungated
overflow spillway allowed the upstream river flow to remain
unaltered, in other words, after the construction of
Dardanelos dam, the river flow and upstream water levels
will remain constant and equal to the natural river levels,
which means there is no reservoir storage.
In relation to the leisure/recreational requirements,
the layout allows the optimization of their use all year
round and not only for some months during the dry season
as was the case before the project.
The layout of the feasibility studies was maintained,
and each structure was optimized during the design and
construction phases.
The excavation works at the beginning of 2009 are
depicted in Photo 1 and in Photo 2.

Photo 1 - Aerial View of the Excavation Works seen from

Downstream

Photo 2 - Aerial View of the Excavation Works seen from Upstream

2.1. Layout
Along the dam axis there are three residual flow outlet
structures that are to maintain a natural river flow
downstream in different places, independently of the
powerplant of Dardanelos.
The dam starts with the right bank dike of compacted
earthfill along the right bank of the Aripuan river, and curves
at the end towards the river, so that the existing buildings
on the riverbank, can be preserved (See Figure 1).
The first river outlet is called the Andorinhas' Falls
Residual Flow Structure and is located at a third of the
distance from the beginning of the dike, in a gallery
structure across the dike, with a tower intake and gates,
controlling a steady 14 m3/s flow that feeds a channel to
Aripuan's powerplant and Andorinhas' Falls. This
maintains the conditions required by the environmental
studies for operation of the mini powerplant and the scenic
landscape of the natural falls.
The second river outlet is called the Water Park
Residual Flow Structure and is located near the end of
the dike in the riverbed, and across it, designed for a
2 m3/s residual flow to the municipal water park. This will
allow it to be used safely all year round, as now it can
only be used during dry seasons with low river flows of
the Aripuan river.
In the layout of the structures there was a concern
that they be visually integrated as much as possible in
the local scenery, minimizing the structures view from
anyplace in the city.
The location of the right bank dike was determined
so as to avoid interference with any urban areas of the
city, including the municipal water park.
This structure was conceived so as to optimize the
use of the area, and maintain an adequate river flow, that
allows the use of the river banks for leisure all year round,
which would not be possible without the hydroelectric
development.
At the end of the right dike, and just before the spillway,
there is a wall at right angles to the dike, called the Water
Park side wall, and is designed to protect the park from
sharp variations of water levels due to load rejections of
the powerhouse units.
The next structure is the ungated overflow spillway
with an overall length of 944.50 m, which crosses the
river and curves downstream on the left bank along the
approach channel, and is part of it's right side. The ogee
elevation and crest length were determined to maintain,
as much as possible, the natural river flow. It is designed
for a 10,000 year flood of 2,880 m3/s.
In the spillway section in the riverbed, lower weirs are
built into the structure to maintain a downstream flow
across the spillway during dry seasons, guaranteeing a
residual flow to the downstream sandstone slabs in the
riverbed all year round, preserving in this way the
environmental conditions.
Since the overflow sill is low, the sediments can be
washed downstream during high water river flows. In
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Figure 1 - General Layout

addition, the three continuously operating residual outflow

structures are strategically located in the layout to release
any of the remaining sediments that may be retained
above the spillway. These devices will insure that the
river flow and sediments along the falls and rapids will be
the same as the natural conditions before the development,
preserving environmental, scenic, landscape and touristic
conditions.
The approach channel, starts on the left bank at about
the middle of the spillway, and incorporates it on the right
side. It is built in a transition between the left bank of the
river and an area of dense vegetation. The channel has
an inflow capacity for power generation and for passing
the design flood. To limit the environmental impact in the
area, the channel width was limited to a minimum size.
The principle of minimizing the size of the structures
in the project area was adopted throughout the
development to reduce unnecessary impacts in a region
where the tropical forest predominates.
The third outlet is called the Main Residual Flow
Structure, and is located at the end of the approach
channel on the river side. It discharges a 12 m3/s flow
straight into the main riverbed of the Aripuan river,
upstream of the intake of the small hydroelectric station
- PCH Faxinal II, which is responsible for the partition of
the river flow between the falls of Dardanelos and
Andorinhas. This maintains the environmental flow
required by the related studies downstream to Dardanelo's
Falls, and also carries sediments deposited on the river
beaches.
The bottom of the approach channel conveys the water
through a transition and creates hydraulic conditions to
carry sediments to the sand trap of the main residual
flow structure. The design of the structure enables it to
be used for constructing a cofferdam for maintenance of
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the downstream channel in case it is necessary.

On its side the residual flow main structure discharges
the residual flow as established by the environmental
studies. This flow is discharged straight into the main
riverbed of the Aripuan river, upstream of the PCH Faxinal
II intake structure, which divides the flows between
Dardanelos and Andorinhas Falls flushing the channel,
carrying the fine sediment downstream and feeding the
local beaches with this material.
At the end of the approach channel is the headrace
channel that conveys the turbine flow to the forebay. The
left side of this structure was dug straight into the left
bank and the right side is contained by the right side dike.
The forebay starts at the end of the headrace channel
and ends at the intake. The forebay consists in the
widening and deepening of the headrace channel as it
approaches the intake structure and penstocks, and is
the transition between both.
The emergency wheel gates control the flow of the
intake, which is provided with stoplogs for maintenance,
and trash racks at the entrance. The intake is connected
to the five penstocks, one for each unit.
The powerhouse has five generator units of which four
are rated at 58 MW and the fifth at 29 MW, and is located
so that the penstocks could be shortened on the
downstream side.
Beside the powerhouse there is the erection and
equipment unloading bay. These bays have access to
the site roadway system.
From the downstream wall of the powerhouse, the
outlet electric power lines connect to the substation
installed on the left bank of the tailrace channel.
The tailrace channel leads back to the Aripuan
riverbed.

Main Brazilian Dams III

3. GEOLOGY, GEOTECHNICS AND

FOUNDATIONS

layers were noticed in various places, at different depths

and thicknesses.

3.1. Regional Geology

The geology of the project area is composed of
cristalline rocks of the Xingu Complex, from the Archaean
era, which is about 2.6 billion years ago (Upper
Proterozoic) and is represented by volcanic rocks of the
Uatum Group and sedimentary rocks of the Caiabis
Group.
The Aripuan river flows in a south-north direction
before arriving at the dam site. At this point the river curves
sharply eastwards, in the area of the Dardanelos and
Andorinhas Falls. After the hydroelectric development the
river returns to a N/NE direction. At this sharp bend of
the river there is evidence of a NW alignment which is
the main direction of the fault system.

3.4. Construction Materials

The investigations to find construction materials near
the site were carried out considering the various materials
found, the distances to the structures and the available
volumes.
Rock materials for construction are obtained from the
excavations of the initial stretch of the approach channel
rock foundation, which is composed of silicified
sandstone. Results of laboratory tests of this material
showed that it was adequate for construction purposes
of the dam.
The investigations for earth materials was done on
altered soils of sandstone and dacite. For sands research
was done on alluvium deposits, and hand augers were
used for laboratory sampling and determining the
thicknesses of earth layers.
Four borrow areas were investigated of which only
one was used. This area was located near the upstream
side of the approach channel and was the main source
for earth construction materials of the dam. The superficial
layer had an average thickness of 2 m and was composed
of sandy silty clay colluvium, with medium plasticity and
was found to be adequate for earthfill construction. The
volume of the material was estimated in 260,000 m3.
Below the layer of colluvium there was altered sandstone
soil with similar grain size distribution and physical
characteristics, which was also adequate for construction
purposes.
The sources for sand were located in the Aripuan
riverbed, downstream from the dam, but the volume was
insufficient and other sources had to be found on the
upstream side of the dam.

3.2. Geomorfological Characteristics

The Aripuan river is the main drainage axis of the
region, and originates in the Parecis Plateau with
elevations around 500 m high, and flows down to the
Inter-Plateau Depression, crossing the Dardanelos
Plateau and returning to the depression maintaining the
south-north direction. Near the Sucurundi Mountain
Range, the river curves to NW and only then becomes a
low plain river. In the rest of the river course it is contained
with rapids, in some places along the river.
The area sub-unit of the Aripuan basin is called the
Dardanelos Plateau with an area of 55,300 km2. It is a
block of residual relief with a massive aspect, limited NE
by fault scarps, that are part of the edge of a structural
ledge with a low slope that can be clearly seen to be in
the SW direction.
3.3. Local Geological - Geotechnical Characteristics
Geological and geotechnical characteristics were
obtained by site investigations, mainly mapping and
drilling.
The project site is located in a region of sandstone
from the Dardanelos Formation of the Caiabis Group that
outcrop or are covered by alluvium and, or colluvium. The
sandstone can be intensely silicified with high strength,
which is found in the approach channel area, just
upstream from the dam. Towards downstream the
sandstone becomes coarser, with a weak cement and
less resistant.
Except for the riverbed section and the rock slabs on
the left bank, along the overflow axis, the headrace channel
and the hydraulic power circuit, a layer of altered soil
sandstone was found that reached 3 m thick, was spongy
on the surface and more compact in depth and had a low
to high permeability.
A geological feature that was given special attention
during the design was the existence of subhorizontal
layers of clay (pelites) with low shear strengths. These

4. HYDROLOGY, HYDRAULICS AND

ENERGY STUDIES
4.1. Physiographic and Hydro-meteorological
Studies
The main basin characteristics of the Aripuan river,
considering both the whole basin and at the Dardanelos'
dam site, are listed in Table 2.
4.2. Climate
The climate in the region of the Aripuan river basin,
according to Keppen's classfication, can be defined as
type AW - hot and humid as monsoonic, with a rainy
summer and dry winter, with a predomination of a subdomain of humid climate with three months of no rain
(NIMER 1979), based on Gaussen and Bagnouls's
formula(1953), that considers a dry month the one in
which the total amount of precipitation in mm doesn't
exceed twice the mean monthly temperature in degrees
centigrade.
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Table 2 - Main Characteristics of the Aripuan River Basin

4.3. Precipitation
To characterize the regimen of precipitation, of the
Aripuan river basin, there are some observations to be
made:
There is a great homogeneity in the region, with yearly
precipitation values varying between 1,899 and 2,038 mm;
The rainy season is concentrated between November
and March, with a rainier three month period in the months
either from December to February or January to March,
depending on the latitude, according to the regional
tendency;
The dry season starts in April and goes on to October,
with the driest months in the June to August trimester;
The yearly distribution of rainy days is very regular.
On average, in the wettest three month period, there are
about 45% of rainy days. The other 55% of rainy days
are distributed in the other months, and in a lesser degree
in the June to August trimester with only 4%.
4.4. Temperature
The mean annual temperature in the region is 25,2C,
with extreme values of 27,7C and 24C. The coldest
three month period is from May to July, and the hottest
is between February and April.
4.5. Humidity
The extreme mean annual humidity values vary between
maximums of around 83% and minimums which are above
61%.
The minimum values occur in the three month period of
July to September, and the maximums from January to
March.
The mean humidity is 73%.
4.6. Evaporation
The mean yearly evaporation in the basin is about
1,214 mm, and the maximum monthly mean is 181 mm
in August, and the minimum is 60 mm in February.
4.7. Fluvial Regime
The Aripun river is characterized by periods of floods
and droughts that are very well defined. On average the
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river starts rising during the month of October reaching a

maximum in February to April and falling until September.
Near the development, the three month period with
the greatest river flow is February to April. The most
frequent monthly maximums are in March (65%), followed
by April (23%) and February (12%). The least flow is
from August to October, with September as the most
frequent month.
The mean recorded river flow (1979 to 2004) was
322 m/s, with a mean specific flow of 21.5 l/s/km2. The
maximum daily discharge was 1,482 m/s on April 7th
1994 and the minimum was 9.08 m/s on October
6th 1998.
There is a large variation in the flow of the Aripuan
river due to the geological and topographical features of
the basin, which if on one hand allows a fast discharge
of precipitation surges, on the other, makes ground
infiltration become more difficult, and with less retention
reduces river flow during the dry seasons.
Hydrological studies for the 10,000 year flood reached
a river flow value of 2,880 m3/s, and a 10 year return of a
minimum weekly average was 14.8 m3/s.
4.8. Hydraulic Studies
Dardanelos is a run-of-river powerplant with only a
headpond and no reservoir, and the level is controlled by
an ungated overflow spillway at El. 213.5 with a
discharge capacity larger than the natural river flow. As
a result no studies were carried out for impounding
the reservoir, routing of the design flood and freeboard.
Studies of the headpond were made to check the
influence of the overflow spillway on the upstream water
levels. The results showed that instead of lower upstream
levels that are normally expected, the previous conditions
of the river would be maintained after the dam was in
place, and can be explained by the greater discharge
capacity of the overflow spillway than the natural river
flow.
Studies showed that no sediment deposits were
noticed upstream which shows the reduced transport
capacity of the Aripuan river near the falls. Below the
falls, small sand deposits occurred. In the area where
the discharge channel was to be implanted, there was a
commercial sand exploration.
The overflow spillway is a little more efficient than the
natural flow and results in a small increase in the
sediment transport capacity upstream. If in the previous
condition no sediment deposits were observed, with the
development this tendency will increased, because of
the hydraulic characteristics of the layout.
As mentioned before, the layout includes three
hydraulic structures that are to maintain the water
passages constantly open, to make sure the residual
flow discharges downstream to Andorinhas' Falls, the
Water Park and Dardanelos' Falls (main residual
discharge structure by the headrace channel sill). These
structures are located along the right bank dike axis/

Main Brazilian Dams III

overflow spillway and together with the overflow spillway

will wash retained sediments downstream.
4.9. Energy and Economical Studies
The conclusions of the feasibility studies are the
following:
Due to environmental limitations, the Maximum Normal
Upstream Water Level was defined as El. 213.5.
Due to the low water depth upstream and small volume,
the powerplant was considered operating as run of river.
It was recommended The installation of four generator
units of 58 MW and one of 29 MW, with a total installed
capacity of 261 MW.
With the its final configuration Dardanelos Hydroelectric
Powerplant will add 138.61 MW mean (gross) of firm
energy.
The studies recommended the values of 95.6 and
97.6 m as the reference and design head.
Based on the results of these studies, the energy
produced by the powerplants of MCH Aripuan (Mini
Central Hidreltrica i.e. Mini HPP), PCH Faxinal l and
PCH Faxinal Il (Pequena Central Hidreltrica i.e. Small
HPP), before the operation of Dardanelos HPP, was
approximately equal to their maximum availability. With
the construction of Dardanelos (261 MW) and considering
the priority of this powerplant, power generation by the
three older plants will be reduced. But so as not to
penalize them, these plants will be compensated by the
new development, maintaining their original contracts for
concessions of power generation.

The priority to generate power at Dardanelos HPP is

more favorable for the National Power System, as it uses
the hydraulic power of the river in a more efficient way
and is more productive than these small plants. If priority
were given to the three other plants, MCH Aripuan, PCH
Faxinal ll and PCH Faxinal l, as specified in their
contracts, it would mean a loss of power generation.

5. MAIN STRUCTURES
5.1. River Diversion and Cofferdams
The diversion of the Aripuan river was made in two
stages, due to the layout of various groups of structures,
as can be seen in Figure 2.
The first group, includes the approach channel, most
of the overflow spillway, the sill of the headrace channel
and the main residual flow structure and its channel, and
are all being built after the construction of the 1st stage
cofferdam.
The second group includes the rest of the overflow
spillway, the water park residual flow structure, the water
park side walls and the Andorinhas Falls residual flow
structure and will all be built after construction of the
2nd stage cofferdam.
A third group of structures were built on dry land, and
did not depend on the construction of the cofferdams.
They were: the right bank dike, the intake channel, the
side dike, the forebay, the penstock support blocks and
the powerhouse hydraulic circuit, erection bay area,
tailrace channel and substation.

Figure 2 - Diversion Works

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5.2. Approach Channel

The approach channel, that can be seen in Figure 3,
was designed to convey the flow to the turbines for power
generation and through the spillway overflow structure
on the right side.
The channel conveys the power flow straight to the
sill of the intake channel, and is about 850 m long and
70 m wide at the bottom in most of its length, but starts
175 m wide at the channel entrance. The design of the
channel considered various operating conditions of the
dam and minimized head loss along the structure.
Due to the geological - geotechnical characteristics
of the approach channel area, the wall excavations on
both sides have slopes conformed to the rock qualities.
The bottom of the approach channel is excavated in
hard sandstone rock. The right side of the channel at the
lower part is excavated and the upper part is the concrete
overflow spillway, with its foundation on hard sandstone.
The left side of the channel is partly excavated in natural
terrain: arcose sandstone at the lower level and soil higher
up (alluvium at the upstream section and colluvium/altered
soil in the middle and downstream section).
The surface of the approach channel bottom is treated
with a 15 cm slush grouting layer.
The left wall section excavated in rock is treated with
gunite where necessary.
Pelite and friable sandstone surface areas are treated
with slush grouting, gunite, anchor bolts and drains,
wherever required.

Close to the overflow spillway, decomposed areas or

cavities on the downstream steps associated to low
resistance layers, are being treated in a selective and
adequate way to avoid regressive erosions that could
affect the stability of the concrete structure.
5.3. Headrace Channel and Side Dike
The headrace channel starts after the approach
channel and ends at the forebay, as seen in Figure 4.
The channel bottom sill is at El. 209.5 with a sharp
transition to El. 206 and reaches El. 204 at the forebay.
It is 724 m long with a trapezoidal cross section with a
base of 21.2 m and side slopes of 1.0V:1.5H in soil and
1.0V:1.0H in rock.
The right side of the channel is confined by the side
dike. This dike with a length of 890 m starts at the
abutment wall by the intake sill, and ends at the forebay.
It is built with compacted materials, is 6.0 m wide at the
crest, at El. 218 and external slopes of 1.0V:1.5H. The
dike material is compacted random, excavated for the
structures.
5.4. Forebay
The main purpose of the forebay is to maintain the
water level above the intake entrance under normal
operating conditions and during hydraulic transients, due
to rapid load changes or load rejection and inception on
all the full rate opening and closing of the turbine wicket
gates. The design studies led to a reduction of the

Figure 3 - Approach Channel

Figure 4 - Headrace Channel, Approach Channel and Forebay

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penstocks length, and an alternative without a surge

chamber.
For the construction of the forebay, the excavations
removed surface soil, colluvium and weathered
sandstone, soft arcose sandstone and, at lower depths
hard sandstone rock.
The structures on the sides of the forebay have their
crests at El. 218.00 m.
5.5. Right Bank Dike
This dike starts on the right bank of the Aripuan river,
and ends at the water park, as can be seen in Figure 1.
Along the dike there are two residual flow gallery
structures, Andorinhas Falls and the water park which
are shown in Figure 5 and 6.
The dike cross section is of homogeneous compacted
soil. The upstream slope is protected with layers of
transition and rip-rap of sound rock. For the dike
construction all alluvium soil on the foundation is being
excavated, which is about 1 to 2 m thick.
The site construction materials - soils and sand - for
the dike construction come from the borrow areas and

natural deposits. The rock materials - transitions and

rockfill - are obtained from the excavations of the
structures.
5.6. Concrete Structures
5.6.1. Andorinhas' Falls Residual Flow Structure
This residual flow structure is made of reinforced
concrete with a tower intake and a gallery that connects
the headpond upstream to Andorinhas Falls,
downstream. There are two gates to control the flow.
See Figure 5.
The purpose of the structure is to maintain a continuous
flow at Andorinhas Falls, as a scenic attraction.
The gallery has a length of 23 m with a rectangular
hydraulic section 3.4 m wide and 2.0 m high and is located
across the right bank dike. The tower structure is 7.1 m
long, 2.65 m wide and 6.8 m high from the gate sill.
The structure's foundation is at El. 210.4, on hard
silicified arcose sandstone, and for surface treatment,
only cleaning of the foundation is necessary.
The crest is wide enough for the gate installation and
operation, and the access for operation and maintenance
is through the crest of the side dike of the intake channel.
The design flow of the structure is 12.0 m/s.
5.6.2. Water Park Residual Flow Structure
This residual flow structure is the same as at
Andorinhas' Falls, and is located across the right bank
dike to ease the construction, as can be seen in
Figure 6. The purpose of the structure is to maintain a
continuous flow of 2,0 m/s to the water park.
The structure is founded on arcose sandstone at
El. 210.9.

Figure 5 - Andorinhas Falls Residual Flow Structure

Figure 6 - Oasis Water Park Residual Flow Structure

5.6.3. Ungated Overflow Spillway

The spillway is an ungated overflow gravity structure,
built of mass concrete, and lies across the river in the
initial section, then curves downstream parallel to the
riverbed on the left bank up to the headrace channel sill,
as can be seen in Figure 1.
In the section parallel to the river, the structure is part
of the right side of the approach channel.
The basic characteristics of the overflow spillway are
(see Figure 3):
Crest elevation:
213.50
Maximum height:
2.0 m
Total length:
944.50 m
Energy dissipation:
In the riverbed
Design flood:
2,880 m/s (10,000 year flood)
The maximum headpond elevation for the design flood
is El. 215.3, in the area near the headrace channel sill.
The hydraulic design of the spillway, resulted in a
crest elevation and overflow length which restricts the
river flow, in a very similar way as the natural river flow
conditions existing before the construction of Dardanelos
hydroelectric development.
The design of the crest considered a layout favorable
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for construction, without reducing hydraulic efficiency.

As the foundation rock is of good quality, no special
treatment is necessary for the rock surface.
5.6.4. Headrace Channel Sill
The headrace channel sill is a structure located at
the end of the approach channel. The main purpose is to
allow the channel to be dewatered for eventual
maintenance, by being able to support a cofferdam
dumped across it, in the channel.
It is a reinforced concrete structure, 39 m long and
about 12 m wide.
The structure also has the purpose of allowing
sediments, carried through the approach channel, to be
easily cleared away by the sand trap of the main residual
flow structure.
5.6.5. Main Residual Flow Structure
The main residual flow structure, located by the
headrace channel sill, is a gravity structure (see
Figure 7), with a purpose to maintain a constant
environmental flow downstream, in addition to the flow

Figure 7 - Main Residual Flow Structure

128

that is necessary for power generation of PCH Faxinal II.

The gates to control the flow and stoplogs for
maintenance are operated from the crest of the structure.
The design allows a continuous flow of 8.0 m /s.
The main residual flow structure is 9.0 m long,
6.35 m wide at the base and a maximum height of 9.5.
The intake has four square sluiceways 1.0 x 1.0 m each
with slots for stoplogs.
For construction of the concrete structure the surface
colluvium and altered sandstone will be removed above
the rock surface. In general the foundation sandstone
rock is very hard.
The structure also has a sand trap.
5.6.6. Intake
The intake, shown in Figure 8, is a structure that
conveys the flow from the forebay to the penstocks. The
structure has trash racks and emergency gates, and is
34 m long, 34 m wide and a maximum height of 17.2 m
up to the gate sills.
The crest is at El. 218 where there is a gantry crane
for stoplog operation and maintenance of the trash racks.
The intake has five separate channels separated by
concrete walls. The top transition is an ellipse arc,
between the entrance near the trash racks up to the gate
slots.

Figure 8 - Intake

Main Brazilian Dams III

The structure is made of two independent concrete

blocks founded on hard sandstone reached after removing
soil, colluvium and weathered sandstone. The foundation
treatment involves conventional surface treatment and
grouting: consolidation and grout curtain.

For installing the penstocks, excavations are to be

carried out in soil and medium rock. The saddle support
blocks may be founded on medium sandstone rock, and
the upper soils removed (colluvium with some rock blocks,
altered and friable sandstone) with an overall thickness
between 3 and 5 m. The anchor blocks are to be founded
on hard sandstone with the removal of the top soils and
medium sandstone that are 6 to 10 m thick.
Photo 4 shows the erection of the penstocks.

Photo 3 - The Intake Structure during Construction

5.6.7. Penstocks - Support Saddles and Anchor

Blocks
The five penstocks are located downstream from the
intake, as shown in Figure 9. They are made of
SAR-50A steel, and four are 4.2 m in diameter and one
3.2 m.
Each penstock is connected to one turbine generator
unit. The diameters were determined considering
economical and mainly operating conditions of the power
units, i.e. the turbine regulation and efficiency.
With the rated design flows, the velocity in the
penstocks is 4.85 m/s in the 4.2 m diameters and
4.22 m/s in the 3.2 m diameter.

Photo 4 - Erection of the Penstocks

5.6.8. Powerhouse and Tailrace Channel

The powerhouse and tailrace channel can be seen in
Figure 10 and 11.
Due to hydraulic transient conditions, in case of load
rejection, and to avoid the necessity of constructing a
surge chamber, No subsurface treatment is necessary
for the foundation, only conventional treatment for the
rock surface.
Excavations in sandstone require some rock
stabilization treatment with anchoring of blocks. For

Figure 9 - Penstocks, Support Saddles and Anchor Blocks

129

Main Brazilian Dams III

Figure 10 - Powerhouse Plan

channel, the same materials as the powerhouse are to

be excavated. From there on and up to the Aripuan river,
excavations are in 1 to 4 m thick alluvium soil on the
upper part, followed by mainly medium sandstone
between 5 to 10 m thick. Near the bottom of the channel
there is some hard sandstone and altered to hard riolite.
The geometry of the channel slopes are 1V:0.1H in
rock and 1V:2H in colluvium and alluvium soil.
For excavations of the tailrace channel dewatering is
necessary. The end section excavation by the river is
being carried out under water.

Figure 11 - Powerhouse Section

exposed slope surfaces in soil, final protection is with

vegetation and plants, and gunite for rock surfaces with
surface drains. The permanently exposed excavated
surfaces will have a superficial drainage system.
For the upstream section (about 60 m) of the tailrace
130

On the right side of the tailrace channel a protection

dike is located with the purpose of preventing the Aripuan
river from (during floods) spilling over the right channel
slope, and also to assure that the downstream water
design levels are maintained for power operation.
For stability, the design considers the maximum
downstream water level acting on the entire structure.
And the cases analyzed were floating with total uplift,
overturning and sliding, with water and lateral soil
pressure loads.
There are five independent reinforced concrete blocks
in the powerhouse structure separated by contraction
joints. The blocks are 14.0 m wide for units 1 to 4 (axis 2
to 6) and 15.5 m wide for unit 5 (axis 1 to 2) and were
determined by the size of the scroll cases, the draft tubes,
the outside diameter of the generators and the
requirement of sufficient space between units for access
of equipment to the galleries.

Main Brazilian Dams III

The electro-mechanical equipment galleries are

located on the downstream side. Above the galleries at
El. 125.35 is the transformer deck where the high voltage
power lines lead to the portal beam, downstream from
the powerhouse.
The monorail winch is also located on the transformer
deck, and is used for operating the draft tube stoplogs.
There is an overhead traveling crane in the powerhouse
rated for the heaviest piece of equipment which is the
generator rotor. The erection and loading bays are at
El. 125.35, and can be reached by the powerhouse crane.
The powerhouse is a reinforced concrete structure.
The second stage concrete is used to anchor the
embedded parts such as the spiral case and the steel
liner of the draft tube.
The following areas are located on the upstream side
of El. 125.35: offices, communication room, canteen,
dress room, battery room, emergency generator room.
The control room is located in the powerhouse at
El. 118.87.
Photo 5 depicts the powerhouse during construction.

6. CONSTRUCTION
6.1. Construction Site and Industrial Installations
The existing road accesses to the job site from the
city of Aripuan were improved to be able to withstand
the increased traffic and load conditions during
construction. Additionally new accesses were built inside
the site to every work front, such as one along the
headrace channel and an interconnection between the
intake and powerhouse.
As the construction site has a number of different
fronts and engineering works, two main jobsites were
organized as site 1 upstream, and 2 downstream.
Site 1 is located on the left bank of the Aripuan river,
in an area that used to belong to a farm named Fazenda
Dardanelos, and already had an access road to the city.
Two types of buildings/installations are at this site.
The first group of buildings at site 1 is the living quarters
and administrative buildings of the construction
consortium.
The second group of buildings at site 1, which is also
in Fazenda Dardanelos, near the main accesses, have
the following installations: machine shop and storehouse,
tire mender/lubricating station/vehicle wash, vehicle load
balance, fuel station, soil and concrete laboratories, rock
crusher plant, concrete plant, cement deposit and a
substation.
Site 2 which is located downstream from the tailrace
channel, near the project substation, has a group of
buildings that are used as support for the civil construction
and erection equipment of the intake, penstocks,
powerhouse, substation and tailrace channel.
Site 2's main installation components are: rebar shop,
carpentry shop, site offices, electro-mechanical deposit,
electro-mechanical storage yard.

Photo 5 - Powerhouse during Construction

A warehouse for blasting explosives and accessories

is located in an area near the side access of the intake
channel. The building conforms to all rules and regulations
for explosives in civil construction works.
6.2. Water and Wastewater Infrastructure at the
Jobsite
To determine the source of water for use and
consumption, and the size of water treatment plants,
various tests were carried out from different places to
131

Main Brazilian Dams III

establish patterns of potability. For each case appropriate

treatments were adopted. According to federal health
regulations, all potable water is regularly monitored.
Domestic wastewater is treated in stabilization ponds,
that have racks, sand boxes, a facultative pond and an
aeration pond. Industrial effluents from the machine shop,
car wash and fuel station are treated in tanks with sand
boxes and oil separation compartments. Effluents from
concrete and crusher plants, truck washers and concrete
mixers are treated in sedimentation ponds. The effluents
are periodically monitored to check emission standards.
6.3. Power Supply to the Construction Site
Electric power for the jobsite, living quarters and all
construction work fronts is furnished by CEMAT (Centrais
Eltricas do Mato Grosso - Mato Grosso State Power
Authority) through a branch of the 34.5 kV electrical
distribution network, that starts at the PCH Faxinal
substation and ends at the construction site substation.
There the voltage is reduced to 13.8 kV and distributed
to strategic points for use at the site. At the site there is
also an automatic emergency generator powerplant in
case of power failure, rated at 2500 kVA.
6.4. Planning and Construction
The site works are all spread in groups, from the
approach channel to the tailrace channel, which is at a
distance of about 3 km further downstream.
Construction is planned to last 38 months.
Commercial operation of the 1st unit is to start after
30 months of initial construction.
Construction was preceded by the site mobilization
and support works, such as delimiting the sites, building
living quarters and industrial installations. This period
lasted seven months.
Considering the diversity of the type of works to be
carried out and the distances involved, the civil works
were divided in main work fronts, determined by access,
type of work, planning, use of resources, and according
to the following list:
First Front: In this front work is to be carried out in
the intake channel, side dike and forebay, including soil
and rock excavations, foundation treatment, rockfill and
final treatments as needed.
In this front, and after excavations for the forebay and
first stage for the penstocks, on the higher section,
construction and erection of the intake and side walls
will take place.
Second Front: This front includes work on the residual
flow structure of Andorinhas' Falls and the right bank dike.
Third Front: This front will excavate and pour concrete
for the approach channel, the overflow spillway, the main
residual discharge structure and abutment wall, which is
part of the 1st stage river diversion.
Fourth Front: This front includes work on the
penstocks, the powerhouse and tailrace channel, and
includes excavations in soil and rock, foundation
132

treatment, pouring of concrete and erection, slope

treatments, construction of the protection dike of the
tailrace channel and construction and erection of the
powerhouse substation.
Fifth Front: This front will start after the 2nd stage river
diversion, and includes the remaining work of the spillway
and the finishing of the remaining residual flow structure
and the side wall of Osis water park.
These main work fronts will be followed by a final stage
for concluding the erection of the electro-mechanical
equipment, finishing of civil works, demobilization of
temporary support installations and environmentally
recovering the work areas apart from personnel and
equipment demobilization.
Construction work on the structures is distributed to
balance the volumes of excavation, earth and rockfill
during the dry seasons, so that the schedule targets
and balancing of the various construction materials can
be met.
The planning of the construction works was done so
that the compacted materials for the dikes and channel
slope protections can be used from the excavations that
are necessary for the structures. But even so, some earth
materials are being sourced at borrow areas for the dikes.
6.5. Balancing Construction Materials
Because of the size of the intake circuit structures,
which include the approach channel, the headrace
channeland forebay, that connect the head pond with
the tailrace channel downstream from the powerhouse,
a large quantity of soil and rock will be generated at the
necessary excavation fronts for the structures, and part
will be used in the dikes, dam shells, aggregate for
concrete, roads, etc.
For stockpiling these materials, areas are to be
established for use at the work fronts and also for waste
materials. All the excavated materials are to be obtained,
as far as possible, inside the area of influence of the
jobsite.
Due to the great volume of soil produced in the
excavation work fronts at the jobsite, the use of material
from the borrow areas is to be reduced. Only for the
construction of the side dikes of the headrace channeland
the right bank and for the earthfill for the forebay, intake,
substation and powerhouse it is necessary to explore
soils in borrow areas.
Construction sand is obtained by dredging the river
bed in areas by the jobsite and/or on the banks of the
river. These areas have been previously studied. Artificial
sand is also being used from the rock crushers and from
the processing of rock materials for concrete and
transitions for the dikes and channels.
Rock materials for production of rockfill, aggregate
for concrete and transitions are obtained from the
excavation of the initial section of the approach channel,
where there is a source of siliceous sandstone.

Main Brazilian Dams III

7. ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND

ECONOMICAL ASPECTS
The planning, construction and operation of the project
were conceived to benefit the region socially,
economically and environmentally.
The main social and economical aspects of the support
programs for the social organization goals, that favor
sustainable economical and social development, in the
municipality of Aripuan, is to create and improve
structures that will be able to act with the new
opportunities that arise with the project development.
The participation of the community in the various
stages of the project is motivated by a communication
channel between the entrepreneur and society, resulting
in participative educational actions to capacitate/qualify
different social sectors.
The main objective of support in the elaboration the
Municipal Director Plan is to collaborate in defining policies
of planning and territorial administration, guaranteeing
the populations' necessities related to quality of life, social
justice and development of economical activities. In
further support of the municipality, help is being done to
reinforce management with some institutional instruments
to face the period when transformations will be fast,
because of the construction of Dardanelos powerplant
project. The infrastructure assistance to the municipal
technical-administrative secretaryships will allow the
implementation of strategic actions by government, and
prepare the managers to answer to probable additional
demands with the project.
Even though the project has no interference with
indigenous populations, there is a program to support
FUNAI (The National Indian Foundation) and FUNASA
(The National Indian Health Foundation) in the work that
they are doing in the region. The intention therefore is to
reinforce, as collaboration, the plans of these foundations.
The support of basic education is to help face demands
due to increase of the municipality population.
Environmental impacts on the health of the population of
Aripun are being monitored, controlled and avoided.
Local activities such as tourism, leisure and culture are
also promoted through specific programs to enhance
quality, and integrate the natural attractions and
diversities with the existing infrastructure.
As a solution to help develop the local economy, some
measures are being taken with the federal and state
governments to obtain incentives for agriculture and cattle
raising, considered the natural vocations in the region,
and also of the local markets and the social-cultural profile
of the small producers. With these actions, apart from
satisfying local demand due to increased population and
development because of the project, it will also avoid
rural migration to Aripuan.
Directions were established to orient technical work
by construction and erection firms to avoid or reduce

impacts that can degrade public equipment and

infrastructure, and natural areas (vegetation, rivers,
conservation areas, among others).
Before construction work started at the jobsite, several
investigations and evaluations in the region were carried
out, such as: limnological monitoring and river water
quality tests; geological and spelaean investigations;
forest/flora inventory; macrophyte monitoring; seed
collection of forest plants and epiphyte (orchids and
bromelias) and implantation of greenhouses/nurseries;
monitoring and rescue of fauna; survey and recovery of
archaeological artifacts. These studies have the purpose
of getting to know the local biodiversity, resulting in
actions to reduce the impact of the dam project, and
acting in an environmentally responsible way.
Before the eradication of the vegetation and forests,
work was done to recover epiphytes which were taken to
greenhouses for study and species preservation. The flora
preservation program started in June 2006.
A plan was worked out so that the compliance with
all legal requirements would be completed while the forest
was being eradicated. During all deforestation there was
a constant supervision to minimize actions that could
affect the environment. Due to these and other alterations
caused by the project, both in the physical and biotic
fields, apart from the already degraded aspect of the
region, programs for recovery and environmental control
of the area were created.
The program for monitoring the avifauna consists of
three big activities: monitoring swallows that live in the
falls, monitoring migratory birds, especially kingfishers,
and monitoring birds in the forest. The two first activities
started in September 2006 and are already producing
results and interaction with the population that live in the
region.
The program for monitoring the herpeto-fauna started
in February 2005 and had the purpose of continuing the
inventory of amphibious animals and reptile species that
live in rock habitats and ecosystems, and to obtain
information that will permit dealing with and conservation
of these species as well as other programs related to
the environment.
With the necessity of knowing in details the fish that
live around the rocks in the river area of the project, a
program was started to monitor the ichthyo-fauna in June
2006. Reports are being elaborated about the behavior of
fish during various periods of the year, to find out how
they use the rock habitats and the reproduction of the
species. This has also helped in the regulation of fishing
activities in the municipality.

8. DAM INSTRUMENTATION AND

MONITORING
The project is in the initial construction stage, and
the instruments for monitoring the structural behavior have

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Main Brazilian Dams III

still not been installed. Because of the configuration, the

run of river powerplant with no high dam and reservoir,
the only planned geotechnical instruments are
Casagrande piezometers and bench marks to control
the intake side dike settlements. In the concrete
structures the installation of thermometers or thermocouples is being planned to check concrete temperature
variations.

9. TECHNICAL FEATURES
General
Localization

Aripuan-Mato Grosso, MT
Long. 5927'51" W - Lat. 1009'48" S

Powerplant
Start of Construction
2007
Completion
2010
Owner
Energtica guas da Pedra S/A
Final Design
PCE - Projetos e Consultorias de
Engenharia Ltda.
Construction
Construtora Norberto Odebrecht S/A.
Electro-Mechanical Equipment
Indstrias
Metalrgicas Pescarmona S.A.I.C. y F.
230 kV Transmission Line
Tabocas
Participaes Empreendimentos S/A.
Basic Data
Hydrographic basin area
Annual mean precipitation
Annual mean temperature

146,257 km2
1,920 mm
25 C

Reservoir/Headpond
Surface area at maximum normal elevation
0.24 km2
Total volume
0.12 x 106 m3
Active volume
0.12 x 106 m3
Maximum Normal Level
213.50 m
Maximum Flood Level
215.30 m
Minimum normal level
213.50 m
Tailrace Channel
Maximum Normal Level
Maximum Flood Level
Minimum Normal Level

114.34 m
124.35 m
112.80 m

Flows
Mean inflow
318 m3/s
Maximum recorded inflow
1,482.00 m3/s
Minimum daily average
9.08 m3/s
Maximum diversion flow and recurrence
1,845 m3/s
Tr = 50 years
Design flood - 10,000 year
2,880 m3/s

134

Spillway
Type
Length
Capacity
Maximum specific discharge
Intake
Type
Length
Maximum height
Intake Gates
Type
Quantity
Dimensions
Width
Height
Manufacturer
Diversion
Type
Diversion structure
Height
Length
Penstocks
Type
Quantity
Inside Diameter
Length
Manufacturer
Powerhouse
Type
Height
Length
Capacity

Free Overflow Surface

944.50 m
2,880 m3/s
3.31 m3/s/m

Gravity
34.00 m
13.80 m

Stoplogs and Wheeled Gate

5 each
4 x 4.20 m + 1 x 3.20 m
4 x 4.20 m + 1 x 3.20 m
IMPSA

Channel
2.50 m
2.5 m

Steel (SAR-50A)
5
4 x 4.20 + 1 x 3.20 m
430 m (mean)
IMPSA

Indoor
37.8 m
109.0 m
261 MW

Turbine
Type
Francis Vertical Axis
Number of units
5
Rated capacity
4 x 58.88 MW and 1 x 29.59 MW
Rated head
95.6 m
Maximum unit discharge
4 x 67.22 m3/s e 1 x 33.96 m3/s
Rated Velocity
4,85 m/s & 4,22 m/s
Manufacturer
IMPSA
Generators
Type
Vertical Axis, Synchronous, Three Phase
Nominal rating
4 x 61.00 MVA + 1 x 30.50 MVA
Voltage
13.8 kV
Frequency
60 Hz
Speed
276.90 / 400.00 r.p.m.
Manufacturer
IMPSA

Main Brazilian Dams III

High Voltage Transformers

Quantity
5
Type
3 Phase
Nominal rating
4 x 61.0 MVA + 1 x 30.5 MVA
Voltage
13.8 kV x 230 kV (+/- 2 x 2,5%)
Manufacturer
WEG
Quantities
Soil excavation
Rock excavation
Compacted clay
Rockfill
Concrete
Rebars

691,000 m3
985,000 m3
140,000 m3
41,000 m3
3
84,000 m (conventional and gunite)
4,200 t

10. BIBLIOGRAPHY
[1] CONSTRUTORA NORBERTO ODEBRECHT S.A.
et al. Projeto Bsico do AHE Dardanelos - Volume I.
Cuiab: 2007.
[2] CONSTRUTORA NORBERTO ODEBRECHT S.A.
et al. Relatrio Mensal de Progresso - Novembro/2007.
Aripuan: 2007.
[3] ENERGTICA GUAS DA PEDRA S.A.
Energtica guas da Pedra Informativo - Volume I.
Cuiab: 2007.

135