Changuinola Dam
{{Short description|Dam in Bocas del Toro, Panama}}
{{Infobox dam
| name = Changuinola Dam
| image =
| image_caption =
| name_official = Changuinola I Dam
| dam_crosses =
| location = Panama
| dam_type = Arch-gravity, roller compacted concrete
| dam_length = {{convert|600|m|abbr=on}}
| dam_height = {{convert|99.2|m|abbr=on}}
| dam_height_foundation=
| dam_width_base =
| dam_width_crest =
| dam_volume = {{convert|890000|m3|abbr=on}}
| spillway_type =
| spillway_capacity =
| construction_began = {{start date and age|2007}}
| opening = {{start date and age|2014}}
| cost =
| owner =
| res_name =
| res_capacity_total =
| res_catchment =
| res_surface =
| res_elevation = {{convert|165|m|abbr=on}}
| res_max_depth =
| plant_operator =
| plant_turbines = 2 x {{convert|106.4|MW|abbr=on}} Francis-type, 1 x {{convert|9.66|MW|abbr=on}}
| plant_capacity = {{convert|223|MW|abbr=on}}
| plant_annual_gen = {{convert|1,046|GWh|abbr=on}}
| plant_commission =
| plant_decommission =
| location_map = Panama
| location_map_caption =
| location_map_size =
| coordinates = {{coord|9|14|11.63|N|82|29|41.13|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| website =
| extra =
}}
Changuinola I Dam, is located in district of Changuinola, in the Province of Bocas del Toro, in the western part of Panama. It is the largest roller-compacted concrete arch-gravity dam in the World.
Technical features
The design of the dam was conducted by Malcolm Dunstan & Associates engineering and construction company.Erlendsson G., Cameron-Ellis D., Shaw Q., Dunstan M., The Development of the Design of Changuinola 1 Dam, Roller Compacted Concrete Dams, Symposium, Zaragoza, October 2012
The construction of the dam started on October 25, 2007 and its first generator was operational on November 19, 2011. The roller-compacted concrete arch-gravity dam has a maximum height of {{convert|99.2|m}} and length of {{convert|600|m}}. The upstream vertical face arch radius is {{convert|525|m}}. The induced joints are spaced at {{convert|20|m}} intervals, with inducers installed in every second layer after compaction. The downstream face slope varies form 0.5:1 (H:V) in the center and 0.7:1 (H:V) on the flanks.{{cite web |title=AES Changuinola S.A. |url=http://www.aeschanguinola.com/eng/theproject.asp}}
The RCC mix strength requirements were determined by a target direct tensile strength of {{convert|1.2|MPa}}. The composition of the high-paste RCC mix included:
- Portland Cement - 70 kg/m3
- Fly Ash - 145 kg/m3
- Water - 119 kg/m3
- Coarse Aggregate - 1282 kg/m3
- Fine Aggregate - 888 kg/m3
- Retarder - 3.44 kg/m3
See also
{{stack|{{Portal|Panama|Water|Renewable energy}}}}