Relief well
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
The International Levee Handbook, published by CIRIA in 2013, defines a relief well in water and flood management terms as: 'A vertically installed well consisting of a well screen surrounded by a filter material designed to prevent in-wash of foundation materials into the well. Relief wells are used extensively to relieve excess hydrostatic pressure in impervious foundation strata overlain by more impervious top strata, conditions that often exist landside of levees and downstream of dams and various hydraulic structures.'
Relief wells are also used in the fossil fuel industry as a control measure for natural gas and petroleum drilling.
[edit] History
The use of relief wells goes back to the early 1900s. They were initially used in the fossil fuel sector to manage well pressure. In the 1940s, relief wells were used to manage water pressure associated with dams. The technique was later adopted as a precautionary measure during construction to control water tables that could destabilise the ground..
[edit] Maintenance
The US Army Corps of Engineers has incorporated relief wells into the design and construction of several dam projects since the 1940s. Based on its experience, the organisation has observed that the life cycle of relief wells includes a slow but steady decline in pump efficiency after five years of operation. Regular maintenance and pump testing is required.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Costs and insolvencies mount for SMEs, despite growth
Construction sector under insolvency and wage bill pressure in part linked to National Insurance, says report.
The place for vitrified clay pipes in modern infrastructure
Why vitrified clay pipes are reclaiming their role in built projects.
Research by construction PR consultancy LMC published.
Roles and responsibilities of domestic clients
ACA Safety in Construction guide for domestic clients.
Fire door compliance in UK commercial buildings
Architect and manufacturer gives their low down.
Plumbing and heating for sustainability in new properties
Technical Engineer runs through changes in regulations, innovations in materials, and product systems.
Awareness of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
What CBAM is and what to do about it.
The new towns and strategic environmental assessments
12 locations of the New Towns Taskforce reduced to 7 within the new towns draft programme and open consultation.
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.
Future Homes Building Standards and plug-in solar
Parts F and L amendments, the availability of solar panels and industry responses.
How later living housing can help solve the housing crisis
Unlocking homes, unlocking lives.
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.