GROUND WATER LOWERING - CUT-OFFS
1. Introduction
Problems related to groundwater control are among the
most complex encountered in geotechnical engineering.
They are influenced by:
- soil heterogeneity,
- anisotropy,
- the conditions in which the aquifers are recharged.
Knowledge of a large number of parameters is required
for an adequate understanding of such a complex system.
In addition to any theoretical approach, experience is
fundamental to the grasp of the mechanisms involved.
However extensive the geotechnical investigation, and
however advanced the expertise, a degree of uncertainty
will nevertheless remain.
2. Design procedure
2.1. Geotechnical site survey
As for any geotechnical project, a survey is required to
understand the effects of groundwater lowering by
reference to all aquifers that may influence the project.
These aquifers are characterised by the following
parameters:
• power (conductivity/transmissivity),
• nature (unconfined/confined),
• permeability,
• recharge conditions.
The permeability of a stratum can be measured in diffe-
rent ways. Those given below are in order of increasing
reliability:
Permeability scale
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At the start of each project where ground water is
present, the following issues must be addressed:
- the aquifers that may affect the works,
- the pumping discharge rate and the method by
which the will the water be extracted,
- the acceptability of the effects of drawdown on the
surroundings,
- the need to introducing barriers into the soil to alter
the flow paths,
- the means that need to be put in place to ensure
that the work proceeds as planned during the entire
period of the dewatering.
• in the laboratory from core samples taken from bore
holes on-site. These can be used for direct measurement
(permeameter) or indirectly by reference to particle size
distribution as given by Hazen and Kozeny.
• in situ, including:
- spot tests: "Lugeon" tests for rock and "Lefranc"
tests for alluvial soils,
- large-scale pumping tests. This involves the instal-
lation of one or more deep wells and associated
piezometers to provide a good overall picture of the
hydraulic behaviour of the soils encountered.