Strengthening the decks on road N-III over Alarcón Dam spillways

Abstract

In 2009/2011, Alarcón Dam, built in 1955, a series of operations were undertaken to adapt it to the existing legislation, including, among others, a full remodel of the three decks that span the spillways, installation of new sluices, rehabilitation of dam parameters, upgrading of electrical facilities and reform of facilities and galleries.Construcciones ALPI, awardee of the general contract, subcontracted Freyssinet to strengthen the decks and widen the N-III carriageway, further to a design authored by VALTER. This article focuses on the works subcontracted, analysing the needs that occasioned the operations and the reasons for the changes made in the original design. The engineering performed for those variations are briefly described, along with the technical principles and construction particulars that had to be taken into consideration during the works.