Methods for prediction of thermally-induced ice loads on dams and hydro-electrical structures
Description
Recommended values of the thermally-induced loads at different locations and climatic zones were primarily obtained on the basis of available empirical values. A review of the literature on the theories and analytical models previously proposed for calculation of the thermally-induced loads on dams and other hydro-electrical structures is presented in this report. The comparison of previously proposed models with measured data showed a wide variation, and none of the available models for predicting ice pressure were capable of predicting the measured pressure within an acceptable margin of error. In Norway, the values of the thermal ice load are suggested to vary between 100 and 150 kN/m. In other countries, such as Canada and USA, the recommended thermal ice loads are higher than in Norway and varies between 150 and 220 kN/m. The maximum thermal ice load measured during laboratory experiment in Sweden was 250 kN/m. This literature study focuses also on current standards and recommendations, in Norway, Sweden, Canada, USA and Russia, for determining thermal ice pressure acting on dams and reservoirs, i.e. methods for the thermally-induced loads or recommended values for an equivalent line load representing the thermal ice pressure.