Prof Harry Tan

CE5101 Seepage SEP 2011

CE5101 Lecture 3
Seepage through Soils
by
Prof Harry Tan
SEP 2011

Outline

Seepage Theory
P t ti l and
Potential
d St
Stream F
Functions
ti
Flow Nets and FEM models
Seepage through Dams and
Embankments
Seepage in Anisotropic Soils
Instability due to Seepage
Seepage and Effective Stress
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Prof Harry Tan

CE5101 Seepage SEP 2011

Seepage Theory Continuity Equation

Seepage Theory Continuity Equation

d
dx

Prof Harry Tan

CE5101 Seepage SEP 2011

Graphical Picture of Two Equations

Graphical Picture of Two Equations

Similarly, the head difference between any two

adjacent equipotentials is constant.
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Prof Harry Tan

CE5101 Seepage SEP 2011

Graphical Picture of Two Equations

Comparing the two
equations, equipotentials
must be perpendicular to
fl
flow
lilines

Properties of Flow Nets

Prof Harry Tan

CE5101 Seepage SEP 2011

Properties of Flow Nets

Flow Net Construction

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Prof Harry Tan

CE5101 Seepage SEP 2011

Flow Net Construction

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Example 1 Sheetpile Wall

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Prof Harry Tan

CE5101 Seepage SEP 2011

Example 1 Sheetpile Wall

= 8m

= 7m

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Example 1 Sheetpile Wall

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Prof Harry Tan

CE5101 Seepage SEP 2011

Example 1 Sheetpile Wall

= 16.7 m

HQ = 17.5 8.4*0.455
= 13.7 m

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EX 1 Plaxis Result

H=17.5m

H=12.5m

Hp=16.8m

Hq=13.6m

Closed flow boundaries

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Prof Harry Tan

CE5101 Seepage SEP 2011

EX 1 Plaxis Results
Total discharge = 15.7e-6 m3/s per m

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EX 1 Plaxis Results

Pp=88 kPa

Pq=66 kPa

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Prof Harry Tan

CE5101 Seepage SEP 2011

Example 2 Gravity Dam

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Example 2 Gravity Dam

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Prof Harry Tan

CE5101 Seepage SEP 2011

Example 2 Gravity Dam

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EX 2 Plaxis Results

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Prof Harry Tan

CE5101 Seepage SEP 2011

EX 2 Plaxis Results
Discharge = 1.63e-4 m3/s per m

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EX 2 Plaxis Results

Uplift pressures

33 kPa
90 kPa

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Prof Harry Tan

CE5101 Seepage SEP 2011

Dams and Embankments

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Dam Seepage Entry and Exit Boundary

Conditions

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Prof Harry Tan

CE5101 Seepage SEP 2011

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Prof Harry Tan

CE5101 Seepage SEP 2011

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EX 3 Dam Seepage

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Prof Harry Tan

CE5101 Seepage SEP 2011

EX 3 Dam Seepage

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EX 3 Plaxis Results

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Prof Harry Tan

CE5101 Seepage SEP 2011

EX 3 Plaxis Results
Discharge = 17.1e-6 m3/s per m

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Horizontal flow in Stratified Soils

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Prof Harry Tan

CE5101 Seepage SEP 2011

Vertical flow in Stratified Soils

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Ex 4 Flow in Stratified Soils

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Prof Harry Tan

CE5101 Seepage SEP 2011

Flow Net in Anisotropic Soil

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Flow Net in Anisotropic Soil

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Prof Harry Tan

CE5101 Seepage SEP 2011

Flow across Soil Interface

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Piping Instability of Sheetpile Wall

iavg

hm
D

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Prof Harry Tan

CE5101 Seepage SEP 2011

Piping Instability of Sheetpile Wall

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Piping Instability of Sheetpile Wall

=im

ic

'
w

Seepage force = i.w. volume

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Prof Harry Tan

CE5101 Seepage SEP 2011

Measures against Piping

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Seepage and Effective Stress

Darcys law is v=ki (average seepage velocity)

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Prof Harry Tan

CE5101 Seepage SEP 2011

Seepage and Effective Stress

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Seepage and Effective Stress

Seepage force in soils is:

Fs j.volume i. w .volume
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Prof Harry Tan

CE5101 Seepage SEP 2011

Quick condition and critical gradient

Buoyant unit weight =

' sat w
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Quick condition and critical gradient

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Prof Harry Tan

CE5101 Seepage SEP 2011

EX 4 Effective Stress and Seepage

Determine effective stresses at A and B

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Prof Harry Tan

CE5101 Seepage SEP 2011

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Prof Harry Tan

CE5101 Seepage SEP 2011

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