Automated Production Control System of Embankment Materials at Rock-Fill Dam

Along with recent developments in the IT-ization of embankment dam construction, automated operation of earthwork equipment has started to be implemented full-scale in conjunction with CAD technology. For truly streamlined embankment dam construction, however, IT-driven streamlining and automation must be achieved for not only earthwork but also production control and compaction control of embankment materials. At the construction site of the Koishiwaragawa Dam, information technology has been introduced for automated operation of earthwork equipment and for automated control of the most important quality control items for embankment materials: namely, the grain size and water content. More specifically, on the production line for embankment materials, image analysis is performed at regular time intervals to monitor and keep the material grain size within the prescribed range. At the same time, material control system equipped with near-infrared moisture meters is operated to provide continuous monitoring of the material water content so that, in case of too low water content, the system can automatically add water and check the resulting water content. Thus, this system maintains in-situ embankment compaction quality at very high levels by supplying stable quality material and standardizing work procedures.