INTRODUCTION:

Water resources are important natural resources for the economic development of Nepal.
Availability of abundant water resources and geo-physical features provide ample opportunities for
hydropower production in Nepal. Out of the total hydropower generation capacity of about 83,000
MW in the country, about 42,000 MW of power generation is financially and technically feasible.
Less than 1% of total potential is developed so far.
Solu hydroelectric project(SHEP) situated at Dudhkunda Municipality will be adding 23.5 MW of
power to the national grid very soon. SHEP produced electricity from runoff river i.e. Solu khola
using diversion weir.

1. HEADWORKS:
The component of the headworks are enlisted below:
Diversion Weir
Under sluice Gate
Triple Bay Intake
Intake Gate
Canal
Gravel trap
Desander
Desander Flushing Channel
Bypass canal
Peaking Pond
1.1 Diversion Weir:
Diversion Weir is the structure placed across the river to divert a part of the river flow to the
water conveyance system through the intake.

Figure 1. Diversion Weir at Solu khola

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1.2 Under sluice Gate:
The water that is diverted by the diversion weir flows from the Under-sluice gate when it is open
otherwise the water flows through the intake.

Figure 2. Under sluice gate

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1.3 Triple Bay Intake:
An opening to draw design flow from the river and provided with trash rack screen to prevent entry
of floating debris and coarse bed load into the water conveyance system. It is equipped with a control
gate to regulate flow down the conveyance system under various flow conditions in the main river.

Figure 3. Triple Bay Intake

Figure 4. Intake Gate

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1.4 Canal:
The passage that allow the water to flow from intake gate to the Desander is commonly is known as
canal. The power canal designed for a run-of-river type hydropower project has generally two
sections: one between head-works and desanding basin also called an approach canal and the other
between desanding basin and forebay. In this project power canal will be constructed between the
head works and desanding basin.

1.5 Gravel Trap:

Gravel trap is the structure to intercept bed load carried by the diverted flow. It is equipped with
gravel flushing gate followed by a flushing canal to discharge the trapped gravel particles back to
the river. A lateral side spillway also can be in this structure to spill excess flow entering from the
intake during high floods.

1.6 Desander:
Desander is an artificial trap designed to collect suspended stream sediment. It settles suspended
sediment contained in the water. The settled sediment is subsequently discharge back into the river
through a flushing arrangement consisting of flushing gate/valve and canal.

Figure 5. Desander under Construction

1.7 Peaking Pond:

It is a pond/reservoir that stores water which so that it could be used during the peak load time of
the day.

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1.8 Soil Protection:
For the securing of the intake area from landslide and soil erosion the soil protection is the
ultimate way. This include the bio-engineering, gabin wall and proper drainage system. The figure
below indicates the soil protection of headworks:

Figure 6. Soil protection

1.9 Activities:
Initially the detailed survey of the area including headworks component is carried out for design
phase. Based on map obtained from the detailed survey the design is prepared. Construction Survey
of Hydropower projects in Headworks includes:
a. the checking or establishment of highly order precise control points/benchmarks.
b. Topographic survey of the areas where excavation and filling works are to be performed.
c. Cross sectional surveys of the area where major structure is to be constructed.
d. Layout/ setting out of the designed structures on the proposed area.
e. Survey for the estimation of the quantities.

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2. LOW PRESSURE PENSTOCK PIPE(LPP):
Penstocks are designed to carry water to the turbines with the least possible loss of head consistent
with the overall economy of the project. These are pressurized water conduits which convey water
to the turbines from free water surfaces. These free water surfaces might be either surge chamber
devices or reservoirs or forebays.
The position of the penstock will be guided by the respective location of the forebay and
powerhouse. As the penstock line follows the terrain towards the down slope direction between the
forebay and powerhouse, the study of the soil and rock characteristics, overburden soil depth and
the slope condition and its stability are the important factors that requires consideration while
undertaking geological / geotechnical investigation. Surface examination along the penstock line
should be supported by the drilling, 2D resistivity survey or seismic refraction survey in order to
determine the position and characteristics of the overburden soils and the depth of bedrock.

Figure 7 LPP starting section at chainage 0+000

For the alignment of the LPP, the level line for the pipe is provided with the level machine with the
gradient of the 21:10000. During the layout of the pipe the level point is provided at the interval of
3 meter. The alignment of pipe is given as per the CAD design and the dimension for the length of
pipe is 2.5 m.

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 Figure 8 Sectional view along the center line of LPP

Figure 9: Sectional view along perpendicular to center line of LPP

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 Figure 10: Ending section of LPP and start of HPP

3. SURGE TANK:
A hydraulic structure designed to control pressure and flow fluctuations in a penstock or tunnel.
It functions as a reservoir that temporarily stores or releases water to the turbine. The surge
tank should be considered as a component of the conveyance system in absence of suitable
ground for the forebay or surface penstock route. A surge tank is provided at the junction of
the headrace tunnel and the penstock for not only absorbing the water oscillation at small
amplitudes under the normal condition but also intercepting the pressure wave to be generated
due to water hammer action upon sudden closure of the turbine in case of load rejection. In
consideration of above requirement, the surge tank is preferred to be located at strong and stable
rock condition as far as possible so that it can face the water hammer action during the project
life. The sound and stable condition at its access tunnel is also to be considered while location
for the surge tank is identified.
3.1 Functions of Surge Tank:
The surge tank thus serves the following purposes:
i. Control of pressure variations resulting from rapid changes in pipe line flow, thus eliminating
water hammer effect.
ii. Regulation of flow in power and pumping plants by providing necessary accelerating or
retarding head.
3.2 Location of Surge Tank:
Theoretically a surge tank should be located as close to a power or pumping plant as possible.
The ideal place in case of power plant is at the turbine inlet, but it is seldom possible in case of
medium and high head installations because it will have to be made very high. To reduce its

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height, it is generally located at a junction of pressure tunnel and a penstock or on the mountain
side.
The dimension of the surge tank is 54*10*5
The elevation of the center line of the pipe is designed at an elevation of 1979.669m.
The static level of the water on the surge tank is designed at an elevation of 1996m.
The maximum level of water in surge tank designed at an elevation of 1997.490m.

Figure 11 Plan of the surge tank

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4. HIGH PRESSURE PENSTOCK PIPE(HPP):
The detailing survey around the proposed alignment of HPP is to be performed. While taking the
details the area of 20 m in both left and right side of the center of the alignment of the pipeline
should be taken into consideration. In this project, the HPP section consist of buried penstock with
provision of the vertical and horizontal tunnel section. The horizontal tunnel of length 108.74 and
vertical tunnel of length 63 m.
For the alignment of the HPP, the level line for the pipe is provided with the level machine with the
gradient of the 21:10000. During the layout of the pipe the level point is provided at the interval of
3 meter. The alignment of pipe is given as per the CAD design and the dimension for the length of
pipe is 1.9 m.

Figure 12: Tunnel section of the HPP

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5.TUNNEL SURVEYING:

The above is the figure showing the tunnel front view. We provide the marking of the center line
and edge of the tunnel before excavation i.e. C, A, B, E (From figure).

For this we set the station at certain points inside the tunnel and from the two known points
established before we set the station coordinates using two points resections.

In tunnel, we are working now using the local coordinates value.

In this project, we considered the chainage of 4+220 and tunnel alignment as two vertical axis for
defining the local coordinates as shown below. We have carried out two control points inside the
tunnel and the local as well as global coordinates values of those point were calculated.

Figure 13. Graph showing tunnel axis

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Providing the line of sight for tunnel: We are going to stake out the points A, B, C, E, F, G and H

In above figure, point C is the centerline and can be defined as (0, k)

That is:

Easting = 0,

Northing = k

And for the elevation = (k-0.755) *0.07+1765.044

=e

For Point A:

Easting = -1.45,

Northing = k

And for the elevation = (k-0.755) *0.07+1765.044

=e

For Point B:

Easting = 1.45,

Northing = k

And for the elevation = (k-0.755) *0.07+1765.044

=e

For Point E:

Easting = 0,

Northing = k

And for the elevation = (k-0.755) *0.07+1765.044+1.45

=e+1.45

For Point H:

Easting = 0,

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Northing = k

And for the elevation = (k-0.755) *0.07+1765.044-2.0

=e-2.0

To check whether the tunnel alignment being excavated is going under the plan (CAD design), we
measure out the global coordinate of points E, F, and G from the tunnel excavated and plot it in the
CAD plan in order to check the deviation between planned design and real tunnel work.

6. POWERHOUSE:
Powerhouse is a point of hydro power generation from water. Generally, in such powerhouses the
water falls with force on the turbines and give them continuous momentum which in turn converts
this energy into electricity. The amount of electricity generation in power house depends on the
capacity of for bay and height difference between for bay and powerhouse (head difference). In this
project, powerhouse consists of two turbines.
In case of power house, we were involved in providing the slab level and stake out of the column.
The description of the work done is already presented under the topic slab levelling and stakeout.

Figure 14: Sample picture for Powerhouse

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 Figure 15: Powerhouse section view

7. TAILRACE:
The part below the water wheel through which the spent water flows. A channel that carries water
away from a water wheel, turbine, etc. The tailrace is the downstream part of a powerhouse where
the water re-enters the river. During construction, it is usually the lowest point on the project and is
used as the collection point for construction debris.

Figure 16: Tailrace section

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8. SLAB LEVELLING:
We have used level machine for defining the level surface of the floor during concreting of the floor.
We used benchmark BM for carrying the height. The following procedure were carried out in the
site for providing the level of the floor.

We used height of the instrument method for providing the level.

We have RL of the BM 1768.329 and the staff reading is found to be 2.325

The predefined RL of the floor (RLf) =1768.004

Height of the instrument(HI)= 1768.329+2.325

=1770.654

Required staff reading = HI- RLf

=1770.654-1768.004

=2.650

Let the observed staff reading be Ro.

Case 1: Ro>2.650 (Down)

In this condition, the surface is needed to be fill to obtained the required level surface.

Case 2: Ro<2.650 (Up)

In this condition, the surface is needed to be cut to obtained the required level surface.

Case 3: Ro 2.65 2mm

In this condition, the floor is leveled.

9. DETAILED SURVEY:
We have spent two days in detailing of the low-pressure penstock pipe. During that period, we were
actively involved with another team and found some gaps that are needed to be filled while
surveying. We found out that the team involved in detailing were not conscious about the surveying
principle i.e. permanent feature like house, road was not taken, sketch of the surveyed area was not
prepared. We also found that the maximum number of the details were taken using non-prism mode
which is not suitable in such topography with grasses, tree, bushes for actual representation of the
original ground level(OGL) during mapping. The surveyor focuses on the quantity of that rather
than focusing on quality of data.

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We tried to convince them about the actual idea of detailing and requirement of the surveying but
we are sorry say that they werent convinced due to lack technical skills. Then after we left the
detailing and shift our work to powerhouse.

10. STAKE OUT:

We have predefined coordinates of the column which we used for staking out on the real field.

11. LEVELLING:

Levelling is generally carried out to find elevations of points with respect to a given or assumed
datum and to establish points at a given elevation or at different elevation with respect to a
given datum. We simply use differential levelling to carry the height from known points
situated at the edge of the bridge to another known point inside the tunnel.

Figure 17. Differential levelling

There are two methods used for computation in levelling i.e. Rise and Fall, Height of
instrument. We have used Rise and fall method for computation.

11.1 Rise and fall method:

If back sight fore sight is positive, then it is Rise

If back sight fore sight is negative, then it is fall
RL of first back sight is known
RL of each foresight can be calculated as RL of BM+ rise/ RL of BM - fall
Arithmetic check can be done as
B.S- F.S = Rise- Fall = Last RL-First RL

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 Figure 18. Showing Rise and Fall method

The computation can also be done with height of instrument method which is described
below.

11.2 Height of Instrument method:

RL of B.M. is known
Backsight is observed in BM
Height of instrument is calculated by adding Backsight into RL of B.M.
Now all intermediate or foresights are taken
RL of these intermediate and foresights are calculated by subtracting foresights from height
of instrument. Arithmetic check can be done as:
B.S- F.S = Last RL First RL
Rise and Fall Method for carrying height from one known point to another.

BS FS h Remarks

0.348 2.675 -2.327 Edge of the Bridge

0.649 2.36 -1.711
0.748 2.11 -1.362
0.549 2.601 -2.052
0.262 2.604 -2.342
1.232 1.767 -0.535
0.588 2.371 -1.783
1.1 1.801 -0.701 First point of the tunnel
-12.813

Table 1. Rise and Fall method

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RL of the edge of the bridge=1780.426

RL of the first point of the tunnel=1767.616

RL obtained from the computation = 1780.426-12.813=1767.613

12. QUANTITY ESTIMATION:

Mainly quantity estimation is done for the billing purpose of excavation works. Quantity
(especially in volumes, cubic meter) of stone work, tunnel work, building structure and other
construction works are calculated. The record sheet is prepared after the approval sheet is
verified by the consultant and on the basis of record sheet, billing of the respective quantity is
done.

Simply the quantity is the estimation of the volume of the excavation works. Lets consider th
e pit of 20m*20m*10m is dug. During digging the stone and soil is separated. The stone
obtained during excavation is measured several times and average of that volume is used in
quantity estimation as shown in Annex 1. The stone with the volume less than 1m3 is exclude
during quantity estimation.
In the case of the tunnel, the details of the quantity are filled in the approval sheet as illustrated
in the Annex 2.

13. CONCLUSION:
Finally, it has been great experience for us being internee in Solu hydroelectric project. During
this period, we learnt about the component of the hydropower and the way surveying is carried
out in hydropower. The experience we collect here will be very helpful for us during our career
and with this experience we can now work in any hydroelectric project without any difficulties.

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14. ANNEX:

CE Construction Pvt. Ltd.

Solu Hydroelectric Project (23.5MW)
Rock Site Measurement sheet
Date: 17th july, 2017
Structure: Powerhouse Tail race
BoQ Item No:
Location: Tail Race part
Chainage: 4+273.44

S.N Breadth Height Remarks

Length (m) (m) (m)
3.1 1.3 2.1
1 2.9 1.1 2.3
3.2 1 1
2.3 1.5 2.7
2 2.5 1.7 2.6
2.3 1.3 2.8
4.5 2.3 1.7
3 4.7 2.1 1.4
4.1 2.6 1.3

Prepared by: Checked by:

CE Construction PVT. LTD. JV TMS-ITECO(JVTI)

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Contents
INTRODUCTION: ................................................................................................................................. 1
1. HEADWORKS: .................................................................................................................................. 1
1.1 Diversion Weir: ............................................................................................................................. 1
1.2 Under sluice Gate: ......................................................................................................................... 2
1.3 Triple Bay Intake:.......................................................................................................................... 3
1.4 Canal: ............................................................................................................................................ 4
1.5 Gravel Trap: .................................................................................................................................. 4
1.6 Desander: ....................................................................................................................................... 4
1.7 Peaking Pond: ................................................................................................................................ 4
1.8 Soil Protection: .............................................................................................................................. 5
1.9 Activities: ...................................................................................................................................... 5
2. LOW PRESSURE PENSTOCK PIPE(LPP): ..................................................................................... 6
3. SURGE TANK: .................................................................................................................................. 8
3.1 Functions of Surge Tank: ................................................................................................................ 8
3.2 Location of Surge Tank: .................................................................................................................. 8
4. HIGH PRESSURE PENSTOCK PIPE(HPP): .................................................................................. 10
5.TUNNEL SURVEYING: .................................................................................................................. 11
6. POWERHOUSE: .............................................................................................................................. 13
7. TAILRACE: ...................................................................................................................................... 14
8. SLAB LEVELLING: ........................................................................................................................ 15
9. DETAILED SURVEY: ..................................................................................................................... 15
10. STAKE OUT: ................................................................................................................................. 16
11. LEVELLING: ................................................................................................................................. 16
11.1 Rise and fall method:................................................................................................................... 16
11.2 Height of Instrument method: ...................................................................................................... 17
12. QUANTITY ESTIMATION: ......................................................................................................... 18
13. CONCLUSION: .............................................................................................................................. 18
14. ANNEX: ......................................................................................................................................... 19

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TABLE OF FIGURES:
Figure 1. Diversion Weir at Solu khola .................................................................................................. 1
Figure 2. Under sluice gate ..................................................................................................................... 2
Figure 3. Triple Bay Intake ..................................................................................................................... 3
Figure 4. Intake Gate............................................................................................................................... 3
Figure 5. Desander under Construction .................................................................................................. 4
Figure 6. Soil protection ........................................................................................................................ 5
Figure 7 LPP starting section at chainage 0+000 ................................................................................... 6
Figure 8 Sectional view along the center line of LPP ............................................................................. 7
Figure 9: Sectional view along perpendicular to center line of LPP....................................................... 7
Figure 10: Ending section of LPP and start of HPP ................................................................................ 8
Figure 11 Plan of the surge tank ............................................................................................................. 9
Figure 12: Tunnel section of the HPP ................................................................................................... 10
Figure 13. Graph showing tunnel axis .................................................................................................. 11
Figure 14: Sample picture for Powerhouse ........................................................................................... 13
Figure 15: Powerhouse section view .................................................................................................... 14
Figure 16: Tailrace section.................................................................................................................... 14
Figure 17. Differential levelling............................................................................................................ 16
Figure 18. Showing Rise and Fall method ............................................................................................ 17

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