Subject: GEO133P, Application of Quantitative Analysis in Geological Engineering pg.

Subject: GEO133P, Application of Quantitative Analysis in Geological Engineering

Plate No. 2
A QUANTITATIVE APPROACH OF SEEPAGE
ANALYSIS

Submitted by: Tampus, Robert Michael Rating:

Student No.: 2013140129
Course: B.S. GSE Date Submitted:
Year: 3
Faculty/Instructor: Engr. Celestino Avis

Plate Exercises of C. C. Avis Mapua Institute of Technology, 2016

Subject: GEO133P, Application of Quantitative Analysis in Geological Engineering pg. 2

1. Description
The principles of water flow through soils are used to determine seepage quantities, pressures, and forces.
There are approximate solutions for specific boundary conditions. These are generally limited to the solution of
one value, usually seepage quantity. The process of determining boundary conditions, selecting permeability
values, and making the analysis is a logical approach for evaluating structure and foundation performance and
for selecting appropriate control measures.
Seepage analysis is done by preparing cross sections to scale showing the boundaries of the structure,
entrance and discharge faces, and boundaries of seepage parallel to the direction of flow. These cross sections
are called flow nets. A flow net is a graphical solution to the equations of steady groundwater flow. A flow net
consists of two sets of lines which must always be orthogonal (perpendicular to each other): flow lines, which
show the direction of groundwater flow, and equipotential lines of constant head, which show the distribution of
potential energy. Flow nets are usually constructed through trial-and-error sketching. From the flow net, the
seepage quantity can be computed.

2. Objectives/Purpose
The main objective of this plate is to perform a quantitative approach of seepage analysis. Specifically, it
aims to:
a. Construct a flow net,
b. Interpret the constructed flow net, and
c. Compute the seepage quantity (Q).

3. Formula
Seepage Quantity (Isotropic Soil Condition)

Seepage Quantity (Anisotropic Soil Condition)

where:
Q = seepage quantity (cm3/sec)
k = coefficient of permeability (cm/s)
kx = coefficient of permeability in the horizontal axis
ky = coefficient of permeability in the vertical axis
h = net head
nf = number of flow channels = number of flow lines minus one
nd = number of equipotential (pressure) drops
is called the shape factor

4. Application to Geological Engineering Course:

As future geological engineers, embankments, dams, mine tailings, slopes and other earthworks need the
assessment for seepage conditions. Water, either surficial or groundwater, can extracted due to difficulties in
construction or for economic purposes. It is considered to be poor design practice to permit the water, which will
inevitably seep through the homogeneous earth fill, to discharge along the downstream face of the dam. Water
causes internal erosion on the soil around foundations. Hypothetical problems of common structures (such as
mine tailings) were given in this plate.

5. Problem Exercise:
1. For the hypothetical mine tailing dam shown in Figure 1, k = 5 m/day. Determine the seepage flow per
meter width of dam in liters per minute.

Given:
W = 30 m
H = 18 m
T=1m

Plate Exercises of C. C. Avis Mapua Institute of Technology, 2016

Subject: GEO133P, Application of Quantitative Analysis in Geological Engineering pg. 3

Illustration:

Figure 1

Solution:

Flow per unit width:

Number of pressure drops, Nd = 9
Number of flow channels, Nf = 4

Seepage flow: ( )
Seepage flow:

2. For the hypothetical mine tailing dam shown in Figure 2, k = 10 m/day. Determine the seepage flow per
meter width of dam in liters per minute.

Given:
W = 20 m
H = 15 m
T=1m

Plate Exercises of C. C. Avis Mapua Institute of Technology, 2016

Subject: GEO133P, Application of Quantitative Analysis in Geological Engineering pg. 4

Illustration:

Figure 2

Solution:

Flow per unit width:

Number of pressure drops, Nd = 9
Number of flow channels, Nf = 4

Seepage flow: ( )
Seepage flow:

3. For the hypothetical mine tailing dam shown in Figure 3, k = 20 m/day. Determine the seepage flow per
meter width of dam in liters per minute.

Given:
W = 27 m
H = 40 m
T=1m

Plate Exercises of C. C. Avis Mapua Institute of Technology, 2016

Subject: GEO133P, Application of Quantitative Analysis in Geological Engineering pg. 5

Illustration:

Figure 3

Solution:

Flow per unit width:

Number of pressure drops, Nd = 9
Number of flow channels, Nf = 4

Seepage flow: ( )
Seepage flow:

Plate Exercises of C. C. Avis Mapua Institute of Technology, 2016

Subject: GEO133P, Application of Quantitative Analysis in Geological Engineering pg. 6

APPENDIX 1 (REFERENCES)

http://www2.humboldt.edu/geology/courses/geology556/556_handouts/constructing_flow_nets.pdf
http://people.eng.unimelb.edu.au/stsy/geomechanics_text/Ch6_SeepDam.pdf
Cedergren, H. R. (1997). Seepage, Drainage, and Flow Nets. John Wiley & Sons

Plate Exercises of C. C. Avis Mapua Institute of Technology, 2016