A Study of Unsteady Flow Through Earth Dams

Abstract

Z_SOIL, commercial software based on finite element technique is proposed to simulate the unsteady seepage flow through earth dams, with variable upstream water heads. Experimental work, using Permeability and seepage model is conducted to verify the reliability and the accuracy of the numerical model. The accuracy and reliability of the model are adequate to handle unsteady flow problems with complex conditions. It is also demonstrated that the method of determining the seepage surface through the saturation described is natural, logical and practical in actual applications. The method provides a relatively simple computing scheme, as compared with traditional methods.