Mactaquac Dam
SECTOR: Dams & Levees
Kingsclear, NB
Located on the Saint John River, the Mactaquac Dam has an operating capacity of over 650 megawatts. Initially projected to last until 2068, Alkali-aggregate reaction (AAR) within the concrete used in the powerhouse and spillway has significantly reduced the dam’s expected 100-year lifespan. AAR causes the concrete within these structures to swell and crack, requiring constant monitoring and annual maintenance at a substantial cost.
NB Power engineers use several technologies to monitor deformation behaviour in the structures. One of these is inverted pendulums that measure the overall tilt of the dam intake, powerhouse, and spillway gate. However, the pendulums’ low deformation tolerance and expensive installation costs led engineers to install ShapeArray because of its wider tilt tolerance.