Foreword
In 1986, a report prepared by the USCOLD Committee on Monitoring of Dams and Their Foundations was issued as a USCOLD publication entitled General Considerations Applicable to Performance Monitoring of Dams. In discussing data collection procedures, the report pointed out that although instrument readings at most dams have been taken manually, automated data acquisition systems (ADAS) were being used for selected instrument readings on some dams. Accordingly, the report included an Appendix entitled Automated Data Acquisition that addressed various aspects of systems for automated performance monitoring of dams. [The name of the United States Committee on Large Dams (USCOLD) was changed to the United States Society on Dams (USSD) during November 2000.]
Continuing rapid advances in electronics and sensors, improving reliability, decreasing costs and successful installations of automated data acquisition systems spurred considerable interest in automated performance monitoring of dams. Accordingly, the USCOLD Committee on Monitoring of Dams and Their Foundations undertook the task of preparing a report to serve as a guide on automated monitoring of dams. That undertaking culminated in a 1993 publication entitled General Guidelines and Current U.S. Practice in Automated Performance Monitoring of Dams.
Due to popular demand for the 1993 Guidelines and significant advancement of the state of the practice, the Committee on Monitoring of Dams and Their Foundations has revised this document to keep it current and relevant. This 2002 revision entitled General Guidelines for Automated Performance Monitoring of Dams includes descriptions of proven system configurations, a generic approach to implementing automated systems, and new and updated case histories. This revision of the Guidelines is based on experience with several systems having operational histories that exceed 10 years.
The revised Guidelines address all general aspects of automated monitoring of dams such as planning, procurement, installation, operation, and maintenance for automated data acquisition systems. The document also addresses related aspects of automated performance monitoring such as data processing, analysis and data management. A new Glossary has been researched, authored and reviewed to include selected terms used in this document related to electronic instrumentation, measurements and data acquisition systems for field application. The Glossary also includes references to most of the standards for electronic instrumentation and associated systems that have been published by various organizations that utilize ADAS.
There are a multitude of factors that influence the design and installation of each automated system. Likewise, there are many ways to operate and maintain a system that will affect its performance. For these reasons, neither USSD nor members of the Committee on Monitoring of Dams and Their Foundations make any endorsement or recommendation on the use of any of the various automated systems, including system manufacturers mentioned in the Guidelines. Manufacturers are referenced in the Case Histories and their mention should not be construed as an endorsement either by USSD or the Committee members.
The Guidelines have been substantially rewritten with new content authored by the Subcommittee on Automated Performance Monitoring of Dams, chaired by James C. Brown. The principal authors were James C. Brown, John M. Klebba and Jay N. Stateler. Other members of the Committee and members of the USSD Board of Directors reviewed the final manuscript and made helpful comments and contributions.
The Committee expresses sincere appreciation for the generous assistance, cooperation and contributions of several individuals and their organizations. Appreciation is also extended to ADAS system manufacturers for their cooperation in sharing technical information with dam engineering professionals.
USSD Committee on Monitoring of Dams and Their Foundations:
James C. Brown, Chairperson
Richard R. Davidson, Vice Chairperson
Wayne D. Edwards
Ingo H. R. Fox
Richard K. Frithiof
James A. Hamby
James Hummert
John M. Klebba
Larry K. Lambert
Ram P. Sharma
V. K. Sondhi
Jay N. Stateler
Peter R. Valeri
Kea-Ling Wong
Table of Contents
Introduction
History of ADAS Development
Conditions that Warrant Automation
Automated Data Acquisition Systems (ADAS)
Technical Responsibility
ADAS Implementation
Data Collection, Processing and Management
Maintenance
Training
Bibliography
Glossary of Terms
Appendix - Case Histories
Clarence Cannon Dam
Hanson Dam
Deadwood Dam
Los Vaqueros Dam
New Waddell Dam
Merrill Creek Dam
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