NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF TWO DIMENSIONAL UNSTEADY STATE SEEPAGE THROUGH EARTH DAMS

Abstract

Earthen dams are widely utilized as water retention structures. In many cases they are the only feasible and reliable structures that are possible at sites where the foundations are relatively weak. However, significant problems as seepage through the foundation and through the earthen dam itself are of serious consideration. The steady state, saturated seepage has been widely studied and discussed among research scientists. But more complex and accurate approaches have been taken on recent times. The study of unsteady state, unsaturated seepage is becoming more popular with the help of modern computers and better instrumentation. Still, up to date, they are unknowns and limited researches done on several aspects influenced by an unsteady state, unsaturated seepage, as the built up of uplift pressure with time at the base of the dam. One of the purposes of this dissertation is to estimate the relationship of uplift pressure built up with time. Is the hope of the author that this effort will contribute to better understanding of this phenomena and will give as basis on further studies on control of seepage below and through earth dams, design of impervious blankets, and serviceable design of earthen dam structures.