Hydraulic Structures CVLE 538 Spring 2018

Assignment # 3

Earth Dams

1. An earth dam has to be constructed at a place where soils have the following characteristics:
(i) Sand mixed with gravel
(a) Saturated unit wt. 2 gm/c3 (2 t/m3)
(b) Sp. Gravity 2.65
(c) Angle of internal friction 33
(d) Cohesion nil
(e) Dry unit wt. 1.6 gm/cc (1.6 t/m3)
This material constitutes the foundation to a depth of 15.0 m, below the base of the dam after
which rock is available.
(ii) Silty clay
(a) Saturated unit wt. 1.76 g/c3
(b) Specific Gravity 2.55
(c) Angle of internal friction 12
(d) Cohesion 3.0 t/m2
The material has to be obtained from an average distance of 1.5 km.
(iii) Levels
(a) River bed level = 103.0 m
(b) Dead storage level = 123.0 m
(c) F.S.L. (flow sill level) = 155.0 m
(d) H.F.L. (high flow level) = 158.0 m

It is required to design a suitable section of the earth dam and indicate the position of seepage line. Also draw the
cross section of the dam.

2. A homogeneous earth dam shown in Fig. 1 has the following data:

(a) Properties of the material of the dam:
- Dry density = 1.8 t/m3
- Saturation density = 2.2 t/m3
- Average angle of internal friction = 30
- Average cohesion = 1.6 t/m3
(b) Properties of the foundation material:
Hydraulic Structures CVLE 538 Spring 2018
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- Average unit weight = 1.7 t/m
- Average cohesion = 5.4 t/m3
- Average angle of internal friction = 7

It is required to check the section for the following:

(i) Sloughing of the u/s slope during sudden drawdown.

Fig. 1

3. Figure 2 gives the gradation material of the foundation soil for earthen embankment. It is required to get
the gradation of the filter material if the opening in the drainage pipe = ¼ inch.

Fig. 2