Upgrade paths and practices of automated safety monitoring technologies for smart dams

GAN Xiaoqing; MAO Suoying; ZHANG Feng; HUANG Yuewen

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1000-1123.2025.23.006

Abstract：Dam safety monitoring serves as a core technological pillar ensuring the secure operation of water conservancy projects,with automation systems acting as the essential vehicle for achieving efficient and precise surveillance.As next-generation information technologies advance rapidly,automated dam safety monitoring technologies are accelerating their evolution toward the"smart dam"development objective.By reviewing the historical progression of automated safety monitoring technologies and integrating findings from six representative project investigations,this study examined the current gap between the core performance indicators of the automation system and the requirements for the construction of smart dams.Through a systematic technical framework analysis,it elaborated on the innovative connotations and upgrade paths of the five key technologies:intelligent perception collection,high-efficiency secure data transmission,premium-quality monitoring data assurance,intelligent early-warning model construction,and cloud service platform.The Baihetan Hydropower Station was taken as a case study,demonstrating practical achievements including rapid 5-minute comprehensive structural assessment of the mega dam,significantly enhanced maintenance efficiency,and digital twin-enabled decision-making support and validating both the feasibility and advancement of this technical architecture.These research outcomes have facilitated significant technological leaps in indigenous monitoring equipment development,optimized network configuration,integrated platform services,and intelligent data analytics,thereby providing robust technical foundations for transitioning dam safety monitoring from automated and digitalized operations to intelligent systems.