Corps of Engineers – Hydraulic Steel Structures (HSS)

Abstract Only - The Corps of Engineers has realized for years that it’s Civil Works infrastructure is aging and must be inspected more closely to assure the safety of the public. One such area of the Civil Works Infrastructure is Hydraulic Steel Structures (HSS). Most of the Corps HSS are located at its Dams where hydroelectric generation takes place. HSS is defined in ER 1110-2-8157, Responsibility for Hydraulic Steel Structures as “structures which control or regulate water and are typically part of a larger navigation, hydropower or flood control project“. The Northwest Division of the Army Corps of Engineers (made up of Omaha, Kansas City, Walla Walla, Portland, and Seattle Districts) has developed a HSS group that meets yearly to share HSS inspection experience’s and develop processes that will help each District do a better job of inspecting and meeting the requirements of ER 1110-2-8157. The inspection program (procedures and photo’s) that will be presented is the one used by the Omaha District based on input from the HSS group and requirements of the ER.