Managing Underwater Inspections

Abstract Only - Underwater inspections of dams and related facilities such as control structures, penstocks, and spillways should play an important roll in dam inspections and maintenance programs. Besides the obvious concerns for safety, underwater inspection can help ensure continued serviceability and aid in planning timely maintenance. Unfortunately, many dam owners have not conducted underwater inspection because of unfamiliarity with underwater work or because they thought them too expensive.
In reality, almost anything that can be done above water, can be done underwater. Because of recent improvements in technology and equipment developed in conjunction with offshore petroleum facilities and bridge inspections, underwater inspections can be quite economically.
This paper and presentation will include an introduction into the capabilities and limitations of diving and diving systems; standards and regulations for conducting underwater inspections; methods of documenting underwater inspections including still photography and videotaping; and underwater testing using non­destructive or partially destructive methods. A description of the capabilities and the practicality of using remotely operated vehicles will also be included.
The paper will conclude with suggestions for procuring underwater inspection services, using divers effectively, and managing underwater work.
During the last two years, every state highway department has been required to establish an underwater bridge inspection program. The experiences of some of those agencies will be recounted.
The presentation will be illustrated with slides and, if facilities are available, a short video tape to demonstrate documentation capabilities.