Technical Manual: Conduits through Embankment Dams (FEMA 484)

GlossaryPolyvinyl chloride (PVC): A polymer prepared by the polymerization of vinylacetate as the sole monomer.Pore pressure (ASCE, 2000): The interstitial pressure of a fluid (air or water)within a mass of soil, rock, or concrete.Power conduit: A conduit used to convey water under pressure to the turbines of ahydroelectric plant.Precast concrete pipe: See Pipe, precast concrete.Pressure flow: Pressurized flow throughout the conduit length to the point ofregulation or control or terminal structure.Principal spillway: The primary outlet device through an embankment dam forflood regulation. Typically, consists of riser structure in combination with an outletconduit.Pumping: The release or draining of a reservoir by means of a machine or devicethat creates pressure and water flow.Quality assurance: A planned system of activities that provides the owner andpermitting agency assurance that the facility was constructed as specified in thedesign. Construction quality assurance includes inspections, verifications, audits, andevaluations of materials and workmanship necessary to determine and document thequality of the constructed facility. Quality assurance refers to measures taken by theconstruction quality assurance organization to assess if the installer or contractor is incompliance with the plans and specifications for a project. An example of qualityassurance activity is verifications of quality control tests performed by the contractorusing independent equipment and methods.Quality control: A planned system of inspections that is used to directly monitorand control the quality of a construction project. Construction quality control isnormally performed by the contractor and is necessary to achieve quality in theconstructed system. Construction quality control refers to measures taken by thecontractor to determine compliance with the requirements for materials andworkmanship as stated in the plans and specifications for the project. An example ofquality control activity is the testing performed on compacted earthfill to measurethe dry density and water content. By comparing measured values to thespecifications for these values based on the design, the quality of the earthfill iscontrolled.411