Haruna class, Hull class destroyers and Bremen class frigates have a bilge pump system that would be perfect to airlift into the area and simply pump out the water to an appreciably lower level to relieve the pressure. It is also possible, because of the “light” weight of these pumps, that they could be secured rather grease’free from the military or military salvage vanguard.

By airlift workhorse – double rotor stability copter the bilge pumps could be gently placed into the holding pools both those restrained by landslide from the earthquakes and in the intended dam, engineered variety – areas of concern.

Also, possible with 24″ or greater, – diameter flex-pipes, a certain degree of siphoning could be done to divert the flows into desirable safe and overflow pools. This is not required of large equipment and could conform to the enforced extremes of the environment although obviously it would only be a temporary solution. Especially for the smaller dam pools that need relieved of volumes that are hindered by the terrain, this option could offer some flexibility.

Although, China may not have fleet options for bilge pumps to be handily available – they could certainly be brought into the area from partner nations or a similar pump could likely be found in the oil industry tanks of the area. Usually in use, these industries typically keep backup pumps in warehouse nearby.

There could be some other options for relieving the dams but the best hope is that the diversion channels created yesterday (and today) will start a significant degree of safety margin which may buy some time for workable plans to be enacted for all 69 dams. Some of the terrain is not appropriately situated for the diversion sluice operation to be used. There needs to be a big list of other options from which to choose.

From the list on the CDC-US website on http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/landslides.asp there is a description of mudflows which are a substantial threat in the area. Aside from getting out of the way, it seems the strongest measure of safety exists in either diversion or intentional channels created to divert or in securing the dams / preventing the dirt and rock from becoming a mud mix including application of some surface altering substance.

It is also possible to shore up the integrity of the dam faces with a rolling application that would form descending bulges like horizontal columns down the length of the inner slope. The shape would ease the range of pressures being exerted along the surface and redistribute them outwards along the length of the face.

The possibility of diverting the rivers rather than the lakes and holding pools seemed to indicate itself from the pictures on CNNI yesterday and today that included a flat bend area with a down-slope nearby in the river’s natural course. Having not looked up the topographical maps yet, it is certainly worthy of a look and exists as a possibility anywhere upriver from any of the these dams.

The other thought I had was whether tanker planes in use for pumping water to put out fires could be brought in – such a fine idea but probably not right given the terrain, the airfoil updrafts and other specificities of the area.

The rolled face material looks like it has a lot of potential for levees and other dam construction projects as well as repair – if there were not water behind the dam in the first place, projects could easily incorporate it along inner faces – especially, in earth dams and high-pressure extreme environments where the volume pressure along the face exert tremendous forces particularly during weather events, nautical events of scale and earthquakes / landslides and mudflows.

I am including a picture of my drawing of the rolled face concept which actually was inspired by long columns of fabric from bolt rolls cascading in arcing pleats along the length when unfolded.

Written by Cricket Diane C “Sparky” Phillips, 2008
05-27-08 Atlanta, (Marietta), GA, USA – USQA1



These are some of my notes from last night and today, along with the design for a rolled face technique to use on dams that seems really useful. Also, hopefully – someone will ship this by forward / relay or email to the folks on the engineering teams over in China and elsewhere that might be inspired by them or use for solutions to the current overwhelming problems with the dams in jeopardy. Thanks.