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i _VISUAL INSPECTION _ 21 } 4.1 WHAT AND WHY SO IMPORTANT HARD HAT — A hat III IIIIIIIIIIIII III for Visual inspection performed on a regular basis is the inspecting large outlets u, attt�9iii 9 "ubtt uctfon most economical aid a dam owner can use to assure areas, the safety and long life of the structure. Visual inspec- POCKET TAPE—Many descriptions are not accu- tion is a straightforward procedure that allows any rate enough when estimated or paced. The pocket properly trained person to make an accurate assess- tape provides accurate measurements which allow ment of a dam's condition. The inspection involves meaningful comparisons to be made. careful examination of the surface on all parts of the FLASHLIGHT—The interior of an outlet in asmall structure. The equipment required is not expensive and the inspection usually can be completed in less dam can often be inspected adequately without crawl- than one day. ing through by using a good flashlight or fluorescent lantern. The essentials of the inspection will be discussed after SHOVEL—Along-handled shovel is useful in clear- findings that must be recorded. s look at useful inspection equipment and inspection ing drain outfalls,removing debris,locating monitor- 4.2 INSPECTION EQUIPMENT AND ITS USE ing points, and killing snakes and rodents. ROCK HAMMER — Questionable-looking riprap fA?or • l _� g or concrete can be checked for soundness with a rock ,e hammer. Care must be taken not to break through aM / thin spots or cause unnecessary damage. HONKER — The condition of support material behind concrete or asphalt faced dams cannot be determined by observing the surface of facing. By W j firmly tapping the surface of the facing material,con- ditions below can be determined by the sound pro- duced when the material is tapped. Facing material 1_ fully supported by fill material produces a "click" or "bink"sound,while facing material that is over a void or hole in the facing produces a "clonk" or "bonk" �+ ,k sound. The bonker can be made of 1%-inch hard wood dowel with a metal tip firmly affixed to the 1 - tapping end. A rubber shoe like those on some furni- turelegs is recommended for the other end to allow the booker to be used as a walking aid on steep, FIGURE 4.7'1 INSPECTION EQUIPMENT—Notebook,pencil,hand- slippery slopes. level.camera,tape recorder and tape,binoculars,probe,hard hat,pocket tape, flashlight, honker, shovel,.rock hammer, bucket and stopwatch, BINOCULARS — These are useful for inspecting hugspray,flagging tape and slakes,waterproof boots. limited access areas especially on concrete dams. INSPECTION CHECK LIST—Servesasareminder GALLON CONTAINER ANDTIMER—Theseare to inspect for all important conditions.An example is used to make accurate measurements of leakage presented at the end of this chapter. flows. Establishing the time it takes the seepage flow NOTEBOOK AND PENCIL—It is very important to fill the gallon bucket enables the inspector to calcu- to write down observations at the time they are made. late the number of gallons per minute. Various con- This reduces mistakes and the need to return to the tainer sizes may be required, depending on the flow area to refresh the inspector's memory. rates. TAPE RECORDER—Asmallportabletaperecord- STAKES AND FLAGGING TAPE — These are er can also be used effectively to make a record of field used to mark areas requiring future attention and to observations. stake the limits of existing conditions,such as cracks and wet areas, to allow future comparison. CAMERA— ldconditio s. Theycde arbevaluableine record WATERTIGHT BOOTS—These are often required of observed field conditions. They can io valuable in when inspecting various areas of the dam site where comparing past and present configurations. An inex- pensive model usually takes pictures good enough for standing water is present. inspection records. BUG REPELLENT — Biting bugs can gravely HAND LEVEL—This is needed to locate accurately reduce the efficiency and effectiveness of the inspector areas of interest and to determine embankment and sour his disposition. heights and slope. SNAKE BITE KIT—In areas where rattlesnakes or PROBE —A probe can provide information on con- other poisonous snakes might be present, it is recom- ditions below the surface,such as the depth and soft- mended that a snake bite kit be kept handy. ness of a saturated area. Also, by observing moisture brought up on the probe's surface, the inspector can decide whether an area is saturated or simply moist. An effective and inexpensive probe can be made by removing the head from a golf club.