Step-by-Step Procedures for Replacement of Inflatable Rubber Dam

Pre-replacement Preparation & Site Survey

Conduct a comprehensive on-site inspection to confirm the dam’s installation dimensions, foundation condition, anchor bolt layout, and surrounding water conservancy facilities.

Prepare the new inflatable rubber dam bag (matched with design parameters), sealing components, anchor bolts, inflation system, and professional construction tools (such as cranes, inflation pumps, wrenches).

Formulate a construction plan, including water blocking and drainage schemes, and set up safety barriers and warning signs around the construction area to isolate the construction site.

Cut off the power supply of the original dam’s inflation and control system, and release residual gas and water in the dam bag to ensure safe operation.

Demolition of the Old Rubber Dam Bag

Drain the water in the upstream and downstream cofferdams to expose the entire old dam bag and its fixing structure.

Loosen and remove anchor bolts, pressing plates, and sealing strips that fix the old dam bag to the foundation and abutments.

Disconnect the old dam bag from the inflation pipeline and control system, and then lift the old dam bag out of the construction area using lifting equipment for centralized treatment.

Foundation Cleaning & Integrity Inspection

Clean the dam foundation and abutment contact surfaces to remove sediment, rust, and residual sealant, ensuring the surface is flat and free of sharp protrusions.

Inspect the integrity of the foundation concrete and anchor bolt holes; repair cracks or damaged parts in a timely manner, and ream or replace severely corroded anchor bolt holes to meet installation requirements.

Installation of the New Inflatable Rubber Dam Bag

Lift the new dam bag to the installation position with a crane, and spread it flat on the dam foundation according to the marked direction to avoid twisting or folding of the dam body.

Align the bolt holes of the dam bag with the anchor bolt holes on the foundation and abutments, install pressing plates and sealing strips, and tighten the anchor bolts symmetrically in sequence to ensure uniform stress on all parts of the dam bag.

Connect the inflation pipeline of the new dam bag to the control system, and apply sealant at the pipeline joints to enhance airtightness and prevent air leakage.

Inflation Commissioning & Leakage Test

Start the inflation pump to inflate the dam bag slowly in stages; control the inflation pressure strictly according to the design standard, and stop inflation immediately once the specified pressure is reached.

Conduct a 24-hour static airtightness test: check whether there is air leakage at the dam bag joints, anchor bolt positions, and pipeline connections; if leakage is found, deflate the dam bag partially and repair the leaking points in time.

After passing the airtightness test, carry out a water filling test: gradually fill water in the upstream area, observe the deformation of the dam body under water pressure, and verify whether the dam bag operates stably without abnormal displacement or deformation.

Final Acceptance & Handover

Conduct a comprehensive performance test, including inflation/deflation cycle test, load-bearing capacity test, and emergency deflation response test, to ensure all indicators meet the design and operation requirements.

Organize relevant parties to conduct on-site acceptance, sort out construction data (including inspection records, test reports, and product certificates of the new dam bag), and complete the handover procedures.

Clean up the construction site, remove safety barriers and construction waste, and provide operation and maintenance guidelines to the dam management unit.