Modeling the effect of downstream drain geometry on seepage through earth dams

Refaiy, Amr R.; AboulAtta, Nahla M.; Saad, Neveen Y.; El-Molla, Doaa A.

doi:10.1016/j.asej.2021.02.011

Cited by 20 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…Failure of dams and their foundations is caused by the problems and adverse effects of seepage; these effects include (A) high and uncontrolled exit gradient, (b) piping, (c) uplift or breaking of the slope due to seepage forces, (d) exit of large volumes of water, and (e) uplift force effects [15]. Excess and uncontrolled gradients will cause soil particles to float at the dam's base.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reduction of Seepage Risks by Investigation into Different Lengths and Positions for Cutoff Wall and Horizontal Drainage (Case Study: Sattarkhan Dam)

Brontowiyono

Hammid²,

Jebur³

et al. 2022

Advances in Civil Engineering

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Seepage from the earth dam’s body reduces the amount of water in the dam’s reservoir and threatens its stability. In this paper, the earth-type Sattarkhan Dam on the Aharchai River has been investigated. In this regard, the SEEP/W model from the GeoStudio 2018 software suite was used for modeling. This study examines the effects of various lengths and positions of cutoff wall and horizontal drainage on seepage, uplift pressure, and exit gradient. Increasing the length of the cutoff wall reduces seepage in both sections, with a more significant effect on Section 2; it also decreases the uplift pressure and the exit gradient. Changing the position of the cutoff wall has a significant effect on seepage fluctuations in Section 1 but has no effect on seepage in Section 2; in positions 2 to 7, the uplift pressure values are nearly identical, and the exit gradient is most significant at position 1 and least at position 2. Increasing the horizontal drainage’s length increases seepage, reduces uplift pressure, and increases the exit gradient. The closer proximity of the horizontal drainage position to the dam’s core increases seepage and decreases uplift pressure and exit gradient. Finally, it is concluded that the construction of a cutoff wall and horizontal drainage with appropriate lengths and positions reduces risk and improves the stability of earth dams.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%