Concrete and Rock Tests, Rehabilitation Work, Marseilles Dam, Illinois Waterway, Chicago District

Drilling for field testing and laboratory testing was carried out as part of a stabilization program at the Marseilles Dam on the Illinois Waterway. An investigation conducted in early 1973 showed that tainter gate sections failed to meet current overturning criteria requirements. It was recommended that the gate sections be stabilized by installation of grouted, prestressed tendons. Physical property data of concrete and foundation rock for use in a stability analysis and the design of an anchorage system of grouted tendons are presented in this report. Field testing consisted of down-hole televiewing for purposes of obtaining the orientation of natural discontinuities in the foundation rock. Pressure tranducers were used in boreholes to ascertain uplift pressures adjacent to the boreholes. Laboratory testing included the determination of characterization properties (compressive strength, unit weight, tensile strength, and compressional wave (velocities) and engineering design properties (elastic moduli, triaxial strengths direct shear of intact and discontinuous rock specimens, and rebar pullout resistance). An assessment of the foundation conditions was made and guidance is presented as to proper choice of design values for the foundation rock. (Author)