Manual hydrodemolition of the dam wall

The intervention concerned the wall of the Pantano d'Avio dam on the side in contact with the water. The main objective was the removal of the old plaster, which had deteriorated and in several places already detached, in order to proceed with the subsequent rehabilitation of concrete surfaces.

In order to allow access and work along the dam walls, a maintenance winch was used, which allowed operators to safely reach the foot of the dam, located 59 metres below the crest.

All the necessary equipment was transported to the top of the dam with the help of helicopters, given the logistical complexity and the impossibility of access by traditional means.

A’manual hydrodemolition on the entire surface of the wall, aimed at removing the deteriorated coating and removing the surface concrete to an average depth of approximately 1.5 cm. The intervention involved a total of 23,600 m² surface area.

This process resulted in a roughened surface, clean and perfectly suitable for the application of subsequent fibre-reinforced mortars, specifically designed to work in environments that are constantly immersed or subject to a strong presence of water.