Volume no :1, Issue no: 1, 2015

COMPARISION OF HYDRAULIC GRADIENT AND UPLIFT PRESSURE IN THREE TYPES OF DAMS: HOMOGENEOUS, HETEROGENEOUS EARTHFILL DAMS AND CONCRETE GRAVITY DAM

Author's: Farzin Salmasi and Behnam Mansuri
Pages: [91] - [103]
Received Date: September 25, 2015
Submitted by:
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18642/sajcce_7100121544

Abstract

This study focuses on the hydraulic gradient and uplift pressure in three types of dams, i.e., homogeneous, heterogeneous earth dams, and concrete gravity dam. For this purpose, three type of dam with the same boundary conditions. Seepage, hydraulic gradient, and uplift pressure, are computing by numerical simulation, using Seep/w software. Results show that hydraulic gradient for two types of dams, i.e., concrete gravity and homogeneous earth dams, are near together and are less than 0.5. Hydraulic gradient became more than 2.5 in beginning and ending of clay core of heterogeneous earth dam. Implementation of filter material in such zones will be necessary to prevent dam foundation from piping/undermining phenomenon. Value of uplift pressure for earth dams are more than for concrete gravity dam.

Keywords

earth dam, hydraulic gradient, seepage, Seep/w, uplift pressure.