Automated Monitoring of Deep Horizontal Displacement at the Three Gorges Maopingxi Auxiliary Dam

1. Overview

The Maopingxi Auxiliary Dam is located on the right bank of the Yangtze River upstream from the Three Gorges Dam, at the mouth where the Maopingxi River enters the Yangtze. Together with the Three Gorges Dam, it plays a crucial role in impeding the water of the Three Gorges Reservoir. This asphalt-concrete core rockfill dam has a designed crest elevation of 185 meters and a maximum height of 104 meters, with a total impermeable axis length of 1,840 meters. It was specifically built to protect thousands of acres of farmland in the Maopingxi River basin in Zigui County, Hubei Province, from flooding by the Three Gorges Reservoir.

Figure 1-1: Three Gorges Maopingxi Auxiliary Dam

2. Layout of Array Flexible Inclinometer Monitoring Points

A total of nine Array Flexible Inclinometer have been installed at the Maopingxi Auxiliary Dam, totaling 661 meters. Three meters are installed at an elevation of 145 meters, three at 165 meters, and three at 185 meters.

3. Monitoring Results of Array Flexible Inclinometer

4. Conclusion

Since its installation, the Array Flexible Inclinometer at the Maopingxi Auxiliary Dam have shown no significant deformation during the monitoring period. Data from the dam monitoring indicates that the dam body is in a stable condition.