If we rely on the definition given in various dictionaries and encyclopedias, then the hydraulic engineering structure is being erected in order to rationally manage and dispose of water resources. At first glance, it might seem that there are a lot of these resources on the planet, and there is no particular need to deal with their distribution among consumers. However, this is a superficial judgment. Firstly, water has a different quality. Secondly, where people live, it is distributed extremely unevenly. And thirdly, its reserves are used for different purposes. To the above, it must be added that large volumes of water very often pose a danger to human life.
According to British scientists, the construction of hydraulic structures began in ancient times. This can be judged by excavations and studies of settlements in which the ancestors of modern man lived. The remains of the dam, which was built in Ancient Egypt more than five thousand years ago, have survived to this day. This large-scale hydraulic structure was erected for a specific purpose - to provide water to the fields on which various crops were cultivated. Today, agriculture on irrigated lands occupies a significant share in the total volume of agricultural production.
In this context, it should be noted that the hydraulic structure is being built not only for the needs of agriculture. Even a rough estimate of their share is less than ten percent of the total volume of construction work. According to their functional purpose, they are divided into general and special. The general ones include water support, water supply, regulatory, water intake. A typical example of a water-retaining structure is a dam. With their help, a difference in levels is created in front of a particular structure or settlement. The dam is an essential element of a hydroelectric power station.
A plumbing hydraulic structure is a canal, tunnel, chute and pipeline. On these communications large volumes of moisture are transported to the place of use. Regulatory structures are designed to change the natural watercourse. Among them are called protective dams, half-dams and structures that serve to strengthen the coastal strip.
Water intake devices serve to supply settlements with drinking and industrial moisture. This is a complex engineering structure, the work of which has the most stringent requirements for sanitary standards and the schedule for the supply of the main resource, in this case water.
The construction of any object begins with the development of technical specifications. It is very important to clearly state for what purposes this structure will be built. Of course, preparation for the construction of a hydroelectric power station will take more time than the development of a design for a reservoir for fish farming. But the scale of the upcoming construction does not affect the quality of survey and
design work. In any case, the necessary set of measures is carried out. It is very important to conduct a timely survey of hydraulic structures that have already been built. For these purposes, special technologies and equipment are developed, special firms and organizations work.