Spelga dam
Spelga Dam in the Mourne Mountains (South of Belfast) in Northern Ireland was under construction and started to move. All construction stopped for a year while it was fully investigated. The dam was needed to supply fresh wholesome water to the growing city of Belfast.
It turned out that the dam was being constructed on top of a “mother boulder” as described in the report conducted by the Structural Engineers at the time. All work was stopped and the boulder and clay underneath it was removed before the dam started again on top of the actual bedrock of the valley.
This was the last time explosives had been used in peacetime before the troubles and it led to the creation of the Structural Engineers Institute of Ireland.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Barrage.
- Caisson.
- Check dam.
- Coastal defences.
- Dam construction.
- Dredging.
- Dual purpose reservoirs.
- Flood defences.
- Hydropower.
- Irrigation.
- Land reclamation.
- Relief well.
- River engineering.
- Tidal lagoon power.
- Thames barrier.
- Trading systems for water resources.
- Water engineering.
- Water transfers and interconnections.
Featured articles and news
The general election and the construction industry
As PM, Rishi Sunak announces July 4 date for an election.
Tackling the lack of knowledge or confidence in heat pumps
The CICV Green Home Festival part of the Edinburgh Fringe.
Home improvements swapped for green energy upgrades
As applications down since and desire to reduce bills up.
Eco apprenticeships continue help grow green workforce
A year after being recognised at the King's coronation.
The Use of Natural Insulation Materials in Retrofit
New paper from STBA with support from SDF.
National Retrofit Hub in partnership with InstallerSHOW.
Permitted development rights for agricultural buildings
The changes coming into effect as of May 21, 2024.
Biodiversity and the built environment digital series
The nature of building, with CIOB and CWP.
A call for prevention and sensitive re-use.
Risks to the long-term effectiveness of the BNG scheme
National Audit Office publish review of Biodiversity Net Gain.
The CIAT principal designer register
Providing assurance and verification of the capability and competence of registered ATs.
Building Safety recommendations and Northern Ireland
The NI roadmap to improving safety in high rise residential.
Specifying rendered external wall insulation for fire safety
How to interrogate the evidence provided to the specifier.
The benefits of writing articles for your organisation
How to create a profile for your organisation and publish for free.
Scottish Government action to reach net-zero targets
Retrofit expert group highlight critical actions needed.
A forward thinking, inclusive global community of members.
Comments
[edit] To make a comment about this article, click 'Add a comment' above. Separate your comments from any existing comments by inserting a horizontal line.