Controlling Seepage Along

Penetrations Through Dams and

Levees
Joseph S. Monroe, PE
Levee and Embankment Workshop
International Commission on Large Dams
Seattle, Washington
schnabel-eng.com

Cause of Failure?

Background
Types of Penetrations

History Seepage Control Measures

Design Considerations

Construction Considerations

Types of Penetrations
Conduits

Spillways

Types of Penetrations
Transportation Facilities

Utilities

Historic Seepage Control Measures

Anti-Seep Collars

Historic Seepage Control Measures

Anti-Seep Collars
Relatively Simple Design

Extensive Manual Labor

Difficult to Achieve Desired Results

Historic Seepage Control Measures

Anti-Seep Collars

Historic Seepage Control Measures

Use of Anti-Seep Collars Rescinded

1974 - USACE Technical Letter 1110-2-180

1974 - USACE Technical Letter 1110-2-192

1987 - USBR Assistant Commissioner
Engineering and Research Technical
Memorandum Number 9

2005 Federal Emergency Management
Agency Document 484

Historic Seepage Control Measures

Rescinding Use of Anti-Seep Collars

Alternatives to Reduce and Control
Seepage
Filters

Cement Slurry in Haunch Areas of Pipe or
Concrete Cradle

Design Considerations
Cradles for Pre-Cast Conduits

Battered/Sloping Walls for Cast In-place
Construction

Rigidly Behaving Structures that
Articulate with Embankment Movement

Filters

Cradles

Cement Slurry in Haunch Areas of

Pipe or Concrete Cradle

Battered Walls

Battered Cradles

Conduit and Cast-in-Place Concrete

Design Considerations

Rigidity
Conduits Should be Designed to Act Rigidly
Under Loads Imposed Three Edge
Bearing Loads for Conduits

Design for At-Rest Pressure to Limit
Potential for Movement and Separation to
Occur

Allow for Articulation at Controlled

Locations

Conduit and Cast-in-Place Concrete

Design Considerations (continued)

Durability

Consider Bond between Selected

Materials and Soil

Select Materials With Anticipated Life

Spans Greater than 100-years

Concrete versus Plastic

Filters

Use Accepted Criteria to Properly Design

Filters to Prevent Movement of Soil
Particles

Conduit and Cast-in-Place Concrete

Design Considerations (continued)

Cradle/Battered Wall Geometry

Facilitate Placement of Concrete

Facilitate Placement and Compaction of
Soil

Improve Contact Between Soil and
Concrete

Articulation

Filters

Construction Considerations
Use of Mud Slabs

Concrete Placement

Placement and Compaction of Soils

Moisture Content

Compaction Methods

Equipment Selection

Construction Considerations

Mud Slabs
No Wider than Base Width of Structure

Joints at each Construction Joint

Rough Finish Perpendicular to Flow

Mud Slabs

Mud Slabs

Mud Slabs

Construction Considerations

Concrete Placement

Use Reasonable Slump Concrete

Too

Dry Prevents Adequate Movement and

Contact with Foundation and Conduits

Too Wet Inhibits Strength and Increases
Shrinkage

Use Vibrators to Consolidate Concrete

Place Concrete from One Side Only To
Prevent Creation of Air Lock

Concrete Placement

Construction Considerations

Soil Placement and Compaction

Wet of Optimum

Control Particle Size

Selection of Material Type

Selection of Compaction Method

Soil Placement and Compaction

Soil Placement and Compaction

Cause of Failure???

Backfill, Design, Concrete Placement?

Concrete Placement

Thank-You