On October 27, 2011, the 2nd International Symposium on Rockfill Dams was held at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. More than 400 delegates from 19 countries attended the Symposium. Upon the invitation by Brazilian Committee on Dams (CBDB), Mr. Liu Ning, Vice Minister of Water Resources, headed Chinese Delegation to attend the Symposium, and gave a speech in the opening ceremony.
The International Symposium on Rockfill Dams is sponsored by Chinese National Committee on Large Dams (CHINCOLD) and CBDB in turn at regular intervals according to the cooperation agreement signed by CHINCOLD and CBDB during the period of celebrating the 80th anniversary of ICOLD in Paris in 2008. The Symposium aims to jointly promote the development of rockfill dam technology in the world via extensive technical and experience exchanges. In 2009, CHINCOLD successfully held the 1st International Symposium on Rockfill Dams in Chengdu, China.
Mr. Liu Ning, Vice Minister of Water Resources, China and Dr. Jia Jinsheng, President of ICOLD, attended the opening ceremony
Vice Minister Liu Ning gave an opening speech
President Jia Jinsheng gave an opening speech
Chinese Delegation attending the opening ceremony
The opening ceremony was chaired by Mr. Erton Carvalho, Chairman of CBDB. Vice Minister of Water Resources of China Mr. Liu Ning, President of ICOLD Dr. Jia Jinsheng, General Manager of Brazil Electrical Power Corporation, General Manager of Itaipu, etc., attended the opening ceremony. In his opening speech, Mr. Liu Ning reviewed the development history of rockfill dams in the world and introduced the progress of rockfill dams in China. While affirming the development achievements of rockfill dams in China, he expressed the wishes to learn advanced dam technology worldwide and to share China’s experience with the world, and to jointly explore new dam technology in the future.
Since the late 20th century, the construction of rockfill dams in China has made enormous achievement and drawn great attention from international professionals. In the speech delivered by Itaipu's General Manager, the achievements of dam construction in China were highly appraised. China has successfully made leap-frog development in dam construction from acting as a follower to acting as a leader in the world.
A Special Ceremony for International Milestone Rockfill Dam Project Award was held at the opening ceremony. Mr. Liu Ning, Dr. Jia Jinsheng, Mr. Erton Carvalho and other distinguished guests presented the Award to the winners. The milestone projects have made marvelous achievements in technical innovation, dam construction and operation as well as environmental protection, and hence can be used as a valuable reference for similar projects in the world. After the nomination by relevant ICOLD National Committees and international experts, and then the preliminary evaluation and re-evaluation by the Special Expert Group jointly organized by CHINCOLD and CBDB, China's Hongjiadu CFRD and Pubugou ECRD, and Brazil's Xingo CFRD, Serra da Mesa ECRD and Foz do Chapeco ACRD finally won the International Milestone Project Award.
Vice Minister Liu Ning presented the Award to Hongjiadu CFRD
President Jia Jinsheng presented the Award to Pubugou ECRD
The Symposium consists of two sessions, including the Concrete Face Rockfill Dam Session and the Core Rockfill Dam Session. The CFRD Session was chaired by Dr. Xu Zeping, Deputy Secretary of CHINCOLD. Mr. Yang Zeyan from HydroChina Corporation delivered a general report on CFRD. Dr. Jia Jinsheng made a keynote lecture on New Progress of CFRD in China. The CRD Session was chaired by Mr. Viotti, Honorary President of ICOLD. Prof. Paulo from University of Sao Paulo delivered a general report on CRD. During the Symposium, Chinese delegates made extensive and in-depth discussions and exchange with experts from other countries in the aspects of design, construction, safety evaluation, and operation and management for rockfill dams. Besides, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (IWHR) held a technical exhibition on rockfill dams. Prior to the Symposium, Chinese Delegation visited Campos Novos CFRD and Itaipu Hydropower Station.
Technical Exhibition Booth of IWHR
