CE5101 Lecture 3

Seepage through Soils

by Prof Harry Tan 14 AUG 2013

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Outline
Seepage Theory Potential and Stream Functions 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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Seepage Theory Continuity Equation

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Seepage Theory Continuity Equation

d dx

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Graphical Picture of Two Equations

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Graphical Picture of Two Equations

Similarly, the head difference between any two adjacent equipotentials is constant.
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Graphical Picture of Two Equations

Comparing the two equations, equipotentials must be perpendicular to flow lines

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Properties of Flow Nets

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Properties of Flow Nets

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Flow Net Construction

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Flow Net Construction

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Example 1 Sheetpile Wall

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Example 1 Sheetpile Wall

= 8m

= 7m

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Example 1 Sheetpile Wall

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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

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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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Example 2 Gravity Dam

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Example 2 Gravity Dam

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Example 2 Gravity Dam

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EX 2 Plaxis Results

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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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Dams and Embankments

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Dam Seepage Entry and Exit Boundary Conditions

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EX 3 Dam Seepage

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EX 3 Dam Seepage

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EX 3 Plaxis Results

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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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Vertical flow in Stratified Soils

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Ex 4 Flow in Stratified Soils

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Flow Net in Anisotropic Soil

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Flow Net in Anisotropic Soil

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Flow across Soil Interface

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Piping Instability of Sheetpile Wall

D=d (same item)

iavg
Datum hm

hm = d

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Piping Instability of Sheetpile Wall

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Piping Instability of Sheetpile Wall

=im

' ic = w

BUT Seepage force = i.w. volume

Critical gradient divide by Applied gradient

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Measures against Piping

Fill w

'd
hm w

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Seepage and Effective Stress

Darcys law is v=ki (average seepage velocity or Darcy velocity or apparent or superficial velocity)
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Seepage and Effective Stress

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Seepage and Effective Stress

Seepage force in soils is:

Fs = j.volume = i. w .volume
ie Seepage Force = Seepage Pressure x Volume

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Quick condition and critical gradient

Since buoyant unit weight =

' = sat w
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Quick condition and critical gradient

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EX 4 Effective Stress and Seepage

Determine effective stresses at A and B

hs=

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(Total stress at A) (Pore water pressures at A) (Effective stress at A)

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Seepage pressures at A=
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i. w
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 'A

i.e.

' A = hs ( '+i. w )

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