Dean of Postgraduate Research
Vice-Chancellor’s Office
Extension: 7285
Email:
lucy.johnston@canterbury.ac.nz
Summer Research Scholarship Scheme
2015-2016
Project Application Form
Please complete and submit the application form as a WORD document and send to
summerscholarships@canterbury.ac.nz
The Project
Title of Project (max 30 words):
Geotechnical assessment of New Zealand’s hydropower embankment dams.
Project Leader(s):
Dr Robert Finch (UC Quake Centre), Dr Kaley Crawford-Flett (UC Quake Centre), Dr Jennifer Haskell
(CNRE)
Host Department/Organization:
University of Canterbury Quake Centre
Other persons involved in this topic/activity:
(List other significant members involved along with their affiliation to the research project.)
Name
Affiliation to project
Dr Grant Webby (or other) (Opus Wellington)
Provision of archived information on dam assets.
Siale Faitotonu
Technician, geotechnical laboratory
Brief outline of project
Describe the proposed research project – maximum of 400 words (box will expand as you type).
Note that this information will be published on the web in order to attract student applicants and therefore be
mindful of any Intellectual Property issues
New Zealand has a large number of earth embankment dams, many of which were designed from the 1940’s
through to the 1980’s to enable hydroelectric power generation. Given that hydropower generation accounts
for approximately 55% of total electricity generation in New Zealand, earth embankment dams form a vitally
important part of New Zealand’s energy infrastructure.
Perceived ‘knowledge gaps’ in the field of dam engineering are internationally well-documented and there
are concerns that many older dams possess design deficiencies due to gaps in engineering knowledge at the
time of construction. Through the University of Canterbury Quake Centre (UCQC), hydropower asset owners
in New Zealand have recently expressed a need for improved guidance for evaluation of the performance of
embankment dams. In particular, there is presently a lack of guidance for the evaluation of the whole-life
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performance of embankments and the possibility of combined earthquake-erosion failure modes.
The Summer Research project provides an opportunity for one or two students to gain a background in
geotechnical dam engineering within a long-term UCQC earth dam research project. The successful
student/s will gain an appreciation of current issues and challenges facing the geotechnical dam industry
both locally and internationally.
Specifically, the project will involve an assessment of the geotechnical characteristics of some of New
Zealand’s large hydropower assets. The main research components are as follows:
1) Sort, collate, and interpret historic construction records for a number of New Zealand’s large earth
dams.
2) Undertake geotechnical characterization of dam soils with reference to international research findings.
3) Conduct laboratory testing to help assess the performance of soils in New Zealand dams (the extent
of laboratory testing will depend on available time following completion of items (1) and (2)).
The project will provide an opportunity for students to gain experience in an industry-based research
environment. It is expected that the outcomes from the summer project/s will inform further research in the
field of geotechnical dam engineering in New Zealand.
If the project involves work away from the University campus (e.g., at fieldwork sites) please detail all locations.
The information retrieval process will likely require 10-20 working days to be spent at Opus (Wellington).
Transport and accommodation will be arranged by UCQC.
If the student be required to work outside of normal university hours (8am-5pm) please provide details
N/A
Benefits student will gain from involvement in the project
Describe the research experience and skills that the student will acquire through involvement in this research project –
maximum of 100 words.
Experience:
Participate in an industry-based research partnership, with overall guidance from NZ’s leading hydropower
generators.
Access historic dam construction records in an industry environment.
Time and resources permitting, undertake laboratory research as part of a geotechnical research group at
the University of Canterbury.
Skills. By the end of summer, students will be able to:
Collate and interpret geotechnical construction records.
Apply state-of-practice screening methods to assess the suitability of soils for use in dam construction.
Identify potential geotechnical risks in existing dams.
Time and resources permitting, manufacture granular soils using sieve techniques
Undertake filter collapsibility tests and interpret results.
Specific student requirements
Please provide details of all requirements you have for the student to work on this project – for example, if specific
courses/experience are necessary.
Geotechnical engineering courses: ENCN253, ENCN353
An interest in geology would be an advantage
Good communication skills
Responsible
Able to work independently
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