Nowadays, the state of Zhiguli Hydroelectric Station (HS) and its main hydraulic structures is controlled by observation of control and measuring equipment installed on these structures. There are systematic inspections and surveys carried out by both the hydroelectric power station personnel and by invited experts. The last analysis of the state of HS and its hydraulic structures was made in 1991. Since that time, a computer-based information and diagnostic system for monitoring the state of hydraulic structures has been introduced at HS. This system introduction caused the need to pay more serious attention to the reliability of the results obtained by means of control and measuring equipment, because the system monitored the condition of all hydraulic structures according to these results. Thus, the purpose of the research is to perform a multi-factor analysis of HS state and its hydraulic structures according to field studies results of all the devices installed in water-retaining structures. The results show impervious elements of HS underground circuit are not effective enough for specific geological conditions in terms of clearing the filtration head. The main drop of water head in the base occurs on HS building upper cutoff, i.e. in this zone there is a maximum filtration gradient, which is very dangerous. This process should be carefully monitored. It was revealed that several piezometers in the base do not work or their indications are not reliable, therefore it is necessary to repair and, in some cases, replace them. In future, it is necessary to equip main piezometers of HS with remote water level measuring sets and to make an automated system of condition monitoring.
Operating conditions of hydraulic structures and results of their multi-factor analysis