Characterisation of rock as foundation for dams and hydropower plants – Experience from a field geologist's perspective.

The characterisation of rock as a foundation for hydropower plants in general and dams in particular is highly complex and requires a great deal of experience on the part of the geologists involved. Geology cannot be studied remotely; it requires geological field surveys and investigations. This paper describes the aspects to be considered, the planning of the investigations and the degree of detail needed at the various planning phases from the field geologist's perspective. It also highlights the internationally recognised methods of investigation used for large‐scale projects and describes how the results are documented and recorded. It concludes by briefly outlining the soft factors which constitute an integral part of successful geological feasibility studies. Geology is an "inexact" science that requires extensive experience in order to generate the most realistic ground model possible. For this reason, a clear distinction must be made between facts (basic data) and their interpretation (experience). Furthermore, it is important to consider what other conclusions can be drawn from surveying the subsoil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]