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Experimental and Numerical Analysis for Earth-Fill Dam Seepage

Author

Listed:
  • Ahmed Mohammed Sami Al-Janabi

    (Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang, Selangor 43400, Malaysia)

  • Abdul Halim Ghazali

    (Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang, Selangor 43400, Malaysia)

  • Yousry Mahmoud Ghazaw

    (Department of Irrigation and Hydraulics, Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21544, Egypt
    Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, Qassim University, Buraydah 51431, Saudi Arabia)

  • Haitham Abdulmohsin Afan

    (Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Da Nang 550000, Vietnam)

  • Nadhir Al-Ansari

    (Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Lulea University of Technology, 97187 Lulea, Sweden)

  • Zaher Mundher Yaseen

    (Sustainable Developments in Civil Engineering Research Group, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)

Abstract

Earth-fill dams are the most common types of dam and the most economical choice. However, they are more vulnerable to internal erosion and piping due to seepage problems that are the main causes of dam failure. In this study, the seepage through earth-fill dams was investigated using physical, mathematical, and numerical models. Results from the three methods revealed that both mathematical calculations using L. Casagrande solutions and the SEEP/W numerical model have a plotted seepage line compatible with the observed seepage line in the physical model. However, when the seepage flow intersected the downstream slope and when piping took place, the use of SEEP/W to calculate the flow rate became useless as it was unable to calculate the volume of water flow in pipes. This was revealed by the big difference in results between physical and numerical models in the first physical model, while the results were compatible in the second physical model when the seepage line stayed within the body of the dam and low compacted soil was adopted. Seepage analysis for seven different configurations of an earth-fill dam was conducted using the SEEP/W model at normal and maximum water levels to find the most appropriate configuration among them. The seven dam configurations consisted of four homogenous dams and three zoned dams. Seepage analysis revealed that if sufficient quantity of silty sand soil is available around the proposed dam location, a homogenous earth-fill dam with a medium drain length of 0.5 m thickness is the best design configuration. Otherwise, a zoned earth-fill dam with a central core and 1:0.5 Horizontal to Vertical ratio (H:V) is preferred.

Suggested Citation

  • Ahmed Mohammed Sami Al-Janabi & Abdul Halim Ghazali & Yousry Mahmoud Ghazaw & Haitham Abdulmohsin Afan & Nadhir Al-Ansari & Zaher Mundher Yaseen, 2020. "Experimental and Numerical Analysis for Earth-Fill Dam Seepage," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-14, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:6:p:2490-:d:335676
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Khamis Naba Sayl & Nur Shazwani Muhammad & Zaher Mundher Yaseen & Ahmed El-shafie, 2016. "Estimation the Physical Variables of Rainwater Harvesting System Using Integrated GIS-Based Remote Sensing Approach," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 30(9), pages 3299-3313, July.
    2. Zaher Mundher Yaseen & Ameen Mohammed Salih Ameen & Mohammed Suleman Aldlemy & Mumtaz Ali & Haitham Abdulmohsin Afan & Senlin Zhu & Ahmed Mohammed Sami Al-Janabi & Nadhir Al-Ansari & Tiyasha Tiyasha &, 2020. "State-of-the Art-Powerhouse, Dam Structure, and Turbine Operation and Vibrations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-40, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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