Ice loading at Scottish Water's reservoirs

Abstract

AECOM investigated potential ice loading at Scottish Water's concrete dams above 200 mAOD top water level. Ice can exert a load on a dam by a variety of mechanisms including: thermal expansion, impact/wind drag, vertical force and water level changes. A simplified method was applied to estimate ice thicknesses at the dams. Stability analyses based on thermal expansion forces indicated that ice loading could be a risk to the stability of concrete and masonry dams that are less than 5 to 10 m high. However, the virtual absence of reported incidents where ice has caused damage to dams (and none in UK) suggests the problem is not as acute as this analysis suggests. A consideration of site-specific factors can identify the likelihood of ice loading developing, the potential consequences of damage and whether intervention could be made in good time or whether permanent measures are warranted.