Effect of Nodes Solving Sequence on

Incline Multilayer Soils Under RCC Dam

Aminaton Marto
Professor, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Construction Research Centre, Universiti
Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
e-mail: aminaton@utm.my

Abolfazl Shamsai
Professor, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Science and
Research Branch, Tehran, Iran
e-mail: shamsai@sharif.edu

Hamidreza Jalalpour
Ph.D Candidate, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Science and
Research Branch, Tehran, Iran
e-mail: hamidrezajalalpour@yahoo.com

Mona Tabandeh
Ph.D Candidate, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Science and
Research Branch, Tehran, Iran
e-mail: mona.tabandeh98@yahoo.com

Nima Latifi*
Ph.D Candidate, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Construction Research Centre,
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
e-mail: En_latifi@yahoo.com

Nor Zurairahetty Yunus

Ph.D, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Construction Research Centre, Universiti
Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
e-mail: norzurairahetty@utm.my

ABSTRACT

The seepage flow usually has adverse influence on the stability of slopes, dams and deep foundations. The
Line-by-line (LBL) solution method is a numerical and semi direct method, which can be applied for
solving algebraic equation sets, resulted from discretization. In this paper, the effect of nodes solving
sequence on accuracy of diffusion equation's solution in heterogeneous and anisotropic porous media with
complicated topographies which consist of multilayer incline soils is investigated for Roller Compacted
Concrete (RCC) dam. At the first step, a finite volume numerical model named FV-Seep is developed to
survey the seepage problem beneath the RCC dam foundation using MATLAB programming. Then the
effect of solution arrangement of the grids in the numerical-mathematical model is compared with the
results generated by the powerful software PHASE2 7.0 (2010) which its accurate results has been proved
in several papers, by the application of the statistical software SPSS17. The results of comparison indicate
that nodes solving sequence affects P-VALUE and varies this index more than 0.01.The results of the FV-

- 1965 -

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Seep model with finite volume and reference with finite element method have no statistical difference in
every solving sequence (0.8<P-VALUE<1).

KEYWORDS: MATLAB; Line-by-line Method; Inclines Multilayer Soils; finite volume; RCC

Dam.

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Seepage analysis has an important role in the design and development of hydraulic structures
problems especially among concrete gravity dams and Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) dams.
Controlling the seepage flow after construction procedure is expensive and difficult. Therefore,
computation of seepage and utilizing unavoidable equipment before construction is necessary.
The problem of seepage flow underneath of gravity dams can be formulated in terms of a nonlinear partial differential equation. This equation describes the fluid flow in a heterogeneous and
isotropic porous media. Although empirical formulations are proposed for simple cases, due to
inherently complex boundary conditions and intricate physical geometries in any practical
problem, a numerical solution is not possible for complicated dam foundations. Thus, today
numerical solutions are commonly implemented (Sabbagh-Yazdi et al., 2007). Each of the
numerical methods consists of two steps, discretization and discrete equations solution, and the
selected method influences the precision of the final results. Finite volume method is selected for
discretization because of its compatibility with physical geometry of porous media and
complicated topographies exactly (Patankar, 1980). Mesh is required in order to discrete the
verified domain which is categorized into two approaches, namely, structured or unstructured
mesh. Type of the chosen mesh has wide effect on results precision and computations rate
(Jayathi, 2002). For computing discrete equations, direct methods such as TDMA or staggered
methods such as Gauss Seidel can be utilized. Many researchers try to investigate the different
aspects and features of seepage problems. This way; Soalidis and Prinos (1999) brought
together TDMA method in order to compute open channel algebraic equation (Soalidis and
Prinos,1999). Dragoslav (2001) used TDMA method for modeling diffusion-convection equation
(Dragoslav et al., 2001). Combination of these two solution methods, TDMA and Gauss Seidel, is
called Line by Line (LBL) method (Patankar, 1980). LBL method uses point to point technique
for solving discreted equations. In this method, nodes solving sequence can be different. Tan et
al. (2002) used LBL method for three dimensional modeling of fluid flow and heat in heated
capillary tubes. Mens (2006) presented this method for solving algebraic equations in viscoplastic
fluid flow with sudden expansion and contraction (de Souza Mendes et al., 2007). HE and Young
(2008) brought together LBL method with ADI solving sequence for numerical simulation of
viscoelastic fluid with asymmetric circular section (HE and Young, 2008). Jav, Liver and Tong
(2008) used LBL method for calculating heat flux in which fluid flow accompanies with heat
convention dynamically (Fu-Yun et al., 2008). Zhang, Young and Gu (2008) used LBL method in
laboratory and numerical study of nonpermanent convention flow due to mass transfer in a casing
full of fluid and obliquely with different angles for solving algebraic equations in numerical study
(Jeng et al., 2008). Nowadays, applying powerful computers, theoretical computations can be
utilized in order to predict fluid flow movements such as seepage beneath the RCC dam
(Sabbagh-Yazdi et al., 2007). Patankar (1972) firstly used Finite volume method for numerical
solving of heat transfer equations. He investigated fluids flow problems with finite volume
method. Hong Wei Xie (2005) studied impermeable layer in RCC dams and verified the type and
thickness of this layer. Pitcher (2005) assumed steady state fluid flow and homogeneous and
isotropic porous media .Then investigated seepage in dam applying two-dimensional Finite
Element Method (2D-FEM) with triangular three nodes and triangular six nodes meshes.

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Bazrafshan (2008) investigated seepage problem considering nonlinear permeability coefficient

implementing finite difference method. Zu-jiang Luo (2008) presented a numerical model in
order to control seepage in three dimensional states beneath the deep dam foundations applying
finite element method. He Yo (2009) evaluated different affecting factors on concrete gravity
dams seepage problem such as cut-off wall, the permeability coefficient of cut-off wall, drainage
holes and grout curtains. They solved seepage diffusion equation applying finite element method
and compared the effectiveness of the seepage control system before and after using them. Shen
Zhenzhong (2009) studied seepage applying finite element method that contains two methods,
mid-section method and equivalent nodal method. Jun-fengfu and Sheng jin (2009) brought
together a numerical model to simulate seepage flow in unsteady state with both saturation and
water head as variables to describe the seepage domain. They compared the analytical solution
with experimental results in order to verify the reliability of the numerical model. PEI Guihong
(2010) presented a numerical model to investigate the effect of water head change on slope
stability. The results indicated that along with the water head increased, the total gradient force
increased, the total anti-sliding force and the stabilize factor decreased. Chen et al. (2011)
established a couple non-linear elastic deformation and non-steady flow model for performance
assessment of concrete-faced rockfill dams. Moor et al. (2011) investigated seepage at a remote
moraine dam in the Sierra Nevada of California using self-potential and electrical resistivity
measurements. Chaiyo et al., (2011) presented method of fundamental solutions, which is a kind
of mesh less method, to solve the problem of seepage flow through a dam using the fundamental
solution to the Laplace's equation.

METHODOLOGY
Numerical Modeling Algorithm
In this approach, domain is divided into several separated control volumes without any
overlapping and by integrating governing differential equation over every control volume,
algebraic equations system create that each of its formulations belongs to one control volume and
each equation link parameter in control volume node to different numbers of in adjacent
nodes, consequently value compute in each node. For solving discrete equations, Line by Line
or Line Gauss Seidel method has been used. This method is combination of iterative solution
methods of Gauss Seidel and direct solute method of TDMA. One can use it in 2 or 3 dimensional
problems with structured element. Matrix of coefficients of equation prevailing on 2 and 3
dimensional spaces which have been discretized with the structured element is clause to clause
but not tridiamtric matrix. In these cases, TDMA solution method is applied alternatively along
the lines. In LBL method, value of is calculated for the nodes in a line with TDMA solution
method. For values of , the nodes adjacent to the studied node in the lines adjacent to the studied
line are considered as the newest value. This is the technique which is applied in Gauss Seidel
solution method for the nodes adjacent to the studied node. This action is repeated for all lines.
2.

The discrete equation dominant on the studied area is in accordance with Equations 1 and

(1)

And in Equation 1, A is coefficients matrix, is variable dependent discrete values vector

and B is fixed values.

Vol. 19 [2014], Bund. I

1968
= +1 + 1 +

(2)

In Equation 2, 1 , +1 , are dependent variable discrete values in nodes on the studied

line. ai, bi and ci are the fixed coefficients which have been applied by coefficients matrix A and
di is sum of the fixed and assumed values for the adjacent groups out of the studied line of i node.
Equation 2 can be written as equation 3 by assuming value of i-1 n border.
And in Equation 3:

And

= +1 +

(3)

(3 1)

+ 1
1

(3 2)

Stages of calculation of value in the nodes with LBL solution method is as follows:
I.

the primary assumption for value in all nodes as the primary condition

II.

selection of a line for starting calculation and calculation of P1 and Q1

III.

calculation of Pi and Qi with regard to relations 4, 5 and for i=2,.,N

IV.

Use of Equation 3 for i = n-1, n-2, ..., 2, 1. and calculation of 1 , 2 , , 2 , 1

V.

Sweeping to another line and iteration of stages II to IV. This stage is iterated till study of
all lines (all nodes). Iteration has been done by completing this stage.

VI.

Study on convergence condition in case of achieving end of the calculation and otherwise
iteration from stage II.

What is done in stages IV and V has been considered in this article that is in what direction
calculation of of the nodes and sweeping among the lines should be done and if study in
different direction will be effective on precision of the final answer. For clarifying the material,
an example is given. As area of is rectangular, sequence of nodes solution can be from east to
west and direction of sweeping can be from north to south which has been shown as EWNS 1.
In order to solve discretized equations, value in each node is computed considering its
discretized equation and newest adjacent nodes values. Solution procedure can be expressed as:
I.

II.

Initial guess for value in every node as initial conditions.

Calculating value in investigated node considering its discretized equation.

East-West-North-South

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III.

Performing pervious step for all nodes in studied domain (), one cycle is performed
by repetition this step.

IV.

Verifying convergence clause. If this clause satisfied the computing will end otherwise
the computations will be repeated from step II.

Riemann boundary condition is utilized for computing value in boundaries because boundary
conditions exact values were not distinct. Therefore by assuming a layer which is near the

= 0 is difined and calculated value for boundary adjacent nodes transform

boundary layer

to related boundary nodes. This procedure will continue until the results difference converges to
zero.

Governing Mathematical Model

General differential equation can be described as Equation 4 considering conservation law for
dependent variable that introduces quantities such as mass, momentum, heat, etc.

() + (
) = +

(4)

Equation 4 components from left to right are unsteady term, convection term, diffusion and
source term. Where, is diffusion coefficient, S is the component of source term, is density and
is the velocity vector. The seepage differential equation in steady state without source or sink

can be written as:

= 0

(5)

where K is soil permeability coefficient and h is head in investigated nodes.

Governing Equation Discretization

In this section, Discretization of the Equation 2 is performed applying finite volume method
with unstructured rectangular mesh in domain (figure 1) and discrete Equation 6 can be
modeled as:
=

The components of Equation 6 are:

, (,) | ,

(6)

for east neighbor

for west neighbor

for north neighbor

for south neighbor

(6 1)

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Figure 1: Studied domain

Numerical-Mathematical Modeling
In this step, MATLAB software is utilized in order to write finite volume program which is
able to model seepage problem. This program cans discrete domain applying rectangular mesh
with different geometry and boundary conditions and arbitrary vertices. Then it can solve
algebraic equations system which is resulted from discretization. At the end total hydraulic head
calculate in nodes and stream lines and potential lines draw. Finally, PHASE2 7.0(2010) software
which its accurate results is demonstrated in several papers, is implemented as reference in order
to evaluate numerical-mathematical model results precision. PHASE2 7.0 discretization method
is Gauss Elimination iterative method that is based on finite element method. At the end, the
model and reference results are compared by statistical software, SPSS17.

CASE STUDY
In this step, seepage flow is investigated beneath the roller compacted concrete dam with
three incline multilayer soils. It should be mentioned that every prepared numerical-mathematical
model and reference characteristics such as studied domain geometry, environmental conditions
and head values in upstream and downstream of the dam, are equal. The initial head values of
control volumes acquire with supposition equipotential lines. The numbers of control volumes are
120. The case study is a roller compacted concrete dam that its characteristics are shown in
Figure 2. The dam body assumed impermeable and the environmental conditions were
heterogeneous and anisotropic with wet downstream.

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Figure 2: Geometry conditions of studied dam

DISCUSSION
Several results of different solving sequences are presented in Table 1. These values are
chosen randomly. Then four charts of P-VALUES are presented in order to demonstrate results
compatibility. If computed P-VALUE index be closer to 1, the compared values have better
compatibility while the less than 0.05P-VALUES indicated that introduced MATLAB and
PHASE2 results had significant statistical difference.

Table 1: Random values of case study for evaluating results precision

SNEW
total
head

SNWE
total
head

NSEW
total
head

NSWE
total
head

EWNS
total
head

EWSN
total
head

WENS
total
head

WESN
total
head

Phase2

35.65

35.65

35.63

35.63

35.63

35.65

35.63

35.65

35.00

35.00

34.76

34.76

34.76

35.00

34.76

35.62

35.62

35.45

35.45

35.45

35.62

36.54

36.54

36.34

36.34

36.34

32.97

32.97

32.92

32.92

35.67

35.67

35.64

35.64

total

36.68

0.00

8.40

35.00

34.98

6.06

29.15

35.45

35.62

36.38

12.02

16.70

36.54

36.34

36.53

37.81

17.98

4.25

32.92

32.97

32.92

32.97

31.79

23.94

50.00

35.64

35.67

35.64

35.67

36.07

30.00

20.85

head

Vol. 19 [2014], Bund. I

38.5
38
37.5
37
36.5
36
35.5
35
34.5
34
33.5
33
32.5
32
31.5
31

1972

SNEW total head

SNWE total head
NSEW total head
NSWE total head
EWNS total head
EWSN total head
WENS total head
WESN total head
Phase2 total head
8.4

29.15

16.7

4.25

50

20.85

Figure 3: Comparison between total head of random values in case study and phase2
results

0.93
0.929
0.928

WESN

0.927

EWNS

0.926

EWSN

0.925

WENS

0.924

NSWE

0.923

NSEW

0.922

SNWE

0.921

SNEW

0.92

Figure 4: P-VALUE indexes from t-test

Zu-jiang LUO (2008) presented a numerical model in order to control seepage in deep
foundations applying finite element method. Introduced code in this research is capable than
finite element method because it not only modeling the seepage problem with finite volume
method that increase the accuracy of the results significantly considering high compatibility of
finite volume method with these kind of equations, but also use voronoi mesh that is able to
model every domain with complicated geometry.
He Yo (2009) investigated seepage problem in concrete gravity applying finite element
method that seepage verified by finite volume method in this article which have higher precision

Vol. 19 [2014], Bund. I

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and compatibility with complicated conditions than finite element method so the calculated total
heads compute more accurate. This code is able to model heterogeneous and anisotropic porous
media with complicated topographies draw stream lines and potential lines with high accuracy
and it is also user friendly.
Sabbagh Yazdi (2007) evaluated three dimensional galerkin finite volume explicit solvers for
solving seepage in concrete gravity dam foundation including three incline layers. They utilized
tetrahedrons elements with four nodes. In this research finite volume method with voronoi mesh
is used in order to compute seepage equation beneath RCC dam foundation that this kind of mesh
has better performance because of its accordance with complicated topographies and its higher
precision. This code not only models several incline soils, it also simulates individually
anisotropic porous media conditions in each layer.
Ashley Pitcher (2005) investigated seepage in dam applying finite element method with
triangular three nodes and triangular six nodes meshes. This article not only is based on Finite
volume method which is preferable than finite element method, but also utilized voronoi mesh
with high numerical computational precision that indicates power performance of MATLAB
code.

CONCLUSIONS
Investigation shows that because of locating the fluid flow reference in north of the studied
domain, solving sequences such as NSEW, NSWE that solving nodes from north to south, have
higher precision and their P_VALUE is equal 0.929. Two solving sequences, WENS and EWNS,
in which that their nodes solving direction are different but their transportation direction are the
same, also have higher P_VALUE index which is equal 0.929.
Investigations indicate that two solving sequences, SNEW and SNWE, in which their nodes
solving direction in LBL method are from south to north, have P_VALUE equal 0.921. Two
solving sequences, WESN and EWSN, in which their nodes solving direction are different but
their transportation direction are from south to north, have the same P_VALUE index which is
equal TO 0.921.
The computed P-VALUES are between 0.9-1 which demonstrates high ability of presented
mathematical-numerical model in head evaluation beneath the roller compacted concrete dam.
Finite volume method have many advantages compared to other numerical methods, finite
element, such as suitable compatibility with studied domain specially beneath the roller
compacted concrete dam, Easy prescription for seepage equation discretization.
Verified mathematical-numerical model is capable to model different environmental
conditions such as heterogeneous and anisotropic porous media with complicated topographies.
This model does not only have specific flexibility for meshing such as changing number of
elements at sensitive and important points in investigated domain, but it also has easy
understanding and users application. Riemann boundary condition is used in order to exactly
model the boundary conditions. The reason is that precise head value in some studied domain
boundaries is not specified.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The author wished to acknowledge the financial supports given by the Ministry of Science,
Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) through the

Vol. 19 [2014], Bund. I

1974

Grant No. 4S072. The supports from the Construction Research Alliance and Construction
Research Centre UTM are also acknowledged.

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