Physical Data Collection for Lock Wall Deterioration

A multifaceted study was performed as part of the Upper Mississippi River Illinois Waterways Navigation Study (UMR-IWW) to gather unknown or previously estimated data to assist with studying the deterioration and loss of concrete from lock walls. This effort revolved around physically monitoring barge traffic in lock chambers with time-lapse video equipment as well as measuring the actual losses from lock wall surfaces to determine the critical parameters needed for the model. Time-lapse videotape equipment was installed at three lock chambers in the UMR-IWW navigation area. The physical data collected from the videotapes assisted with determining barge velocities, the number of barge impacts on lock walls, chamber pool fluctuations, and the general operating characteristics of locks during the winter months. Measurements of lock walls were also made at four lock chambers to determine the depth of deterioration and typical deterioration patterns that exist at each lock. From this information, a model to predict the deterioration of concrete in lock chambers can be developed and implemented.