Geotechnical design of air cushion surge chambers
Abstract
An air cushion surge chamber is an alternative to the traditional open surge shaft in hydro power plants, and has been used in Norway since 1973. The surge chambers have proven to satisfy the hydraulic demands, and have also shown to constitute an economic alternative that gives substantial freedom in the lay-out of the tunnel system, and the siting of the plant. Air leakage prevention is the major challenge when designing and constructing an air cushion. The paper shows how it is possible to handle this and other geotechnical aspects in an efficient way.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Dam Engineering and Safety
Geotechnical Engineering and Underground Structures
Civil and Geotechnical Engineering Research
Publication details
- Journal / source
- CRC Press eBooks
- Pages
- 129–136
- Publication date
- 11 February 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter