Technology and Management Innovation and Practice in Construction of the Xiluodu Hydropower Station on Jinsha River

Xiluodu Hydropower Station is the world’s third largest hydropower station to date, ranking high among the large hydropower projects in the world in terms of overall scale and technical difficulty. In the construction, many technical problems have been solved and a wealth of management innovation has been accomplished. By the method of case study, this paper systematically introduces such innovation achievements as the intelligent construction technology of the 300m-class super-high arch dam, the temperature control and crack prevention technology for mass concrete and lining concrete, as well as the construction technology of high-flow-velocity spillway tunnels with large flood discharging and giant underground powerhouses. Moreover, it also analyzes the effects arising from the concept of green hydropower construction, from the implementation of environmental planning and design as well as innovation in construction technologies. By doing so, it proposes a number of new concepts and methods, including a “standardized, orderly, coordinated and healthy” construction management concept for large hydropower projects, a project management system consisting of “6 goals and 9 supporting factors”, an innovative management mode of industry-university-research-application collaboration, a method to optimize engineering planning, design and construction, as well as a one-step finishing method based on dynamic analysis of complex rock mass engineering. The above achievements ensure the safe, high quality, and efficient construction on schedule and stable operation of Xiluodu Hydropower Station, generating tremendous social and economic benefits, and providing useful references for the construction technology and management practices of similar large hydropower projects.