Geomechanics and Engineering

Techno-Press (테크노프레스)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Behavior of seepage in earth dams through complex foundations using three-dimensional finite element method

  • Truong Q. Nhu (Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering at Kamphaeng Saen, Kasetsart University) ;
  • Nipawan Kunsuwan (Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering at Kamphaeng Saen, Kasetsart University) ;
  • Warakorn Mairaing (Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering at Kamphaeng Saen, Kasetsart University) ;
  • Bunpoat Kunsuwan (Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering at Kamphaeng Saen, Kasetsart University) ;
  • Thawatchai Chalermpornchai (Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering at Kamphaeng Saen, Kasetsart University)
  • Received : 2024.04.25
  • Accepted : 2024.10.22
  • Published : 2024.11.10
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Seepage flow through complex foundations is one of the main factors causing dam failure. To foresee this problem, seepage modeling and analysis are usually performed. This study investigated seepage behavior as affected by complex, foliated, rock foundations in an earth dam. The PLAXIS 3-D LE software was used to analyze seepage problems for steady state flow. The normal high-water level (NHWL) with anisotropic permeability was considered in the models. The anisotropic permeability of foliated rocks was determined according to the angle of inclination. The flow characteristics along the dam axis could be divided into five zones, with three zones for the middle parts (MD1, MD2 and MD3) and one zones for each of the two abutments (LA and RA). The quantities of flow (water transmissibility) upstream to downstream (QX) on each zone highly depended on the geological structures. Although the average seepage transmissibility values of the residual soil and phyllite were almost equal for every zone. The values in the anticline areas were higher than for the syncline areas, especially for the middle zones. The flow tended to transfer from residual soil into phyllite rock in the anticline area. The transmissibility ratio of anticline to syncline was more than 2 times for both the residual soil and phyllite. The finger drain and river channel attracted substantial flow in the longitudinal (QY) and vertical (QZ) directions. However, the verification of the field piezometric versus the modeling heads showed the possibility of blockage of the finger drain.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This research is funded by Kasetsart University through the Graduate School Fellowship Program and the Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering at Kamphaeng Saen, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen campus, Thailand.

References

  1. Adamo, N., Al-Ansari, N., Sissakian, V., Laue, J. and Knutsson, S. (2020), "Dam safety problems related to seepage", J. Earth Sci. Geotech. Eng., 10, 191-239.
  2. Al-Mansori, N., Alfatlawi, T., Othman, N. and Al-Zubaidi, L. (2020), "Numerical analysis of seepage in earth-fill dams", Civ. Eng. J., 6, 1336-1348. https://doi.org/10.28991/cej-2020-03091552.
  3. Alzamily, Z.N. and Abed, B.S. (2022), "Experimental and theoretical investigations of seepage reduction through zoned earth dam material with special core", Mater. Today Proc., 61(551), 998-1005. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2021.10.283.
  4. Arya, L.M. and Paris, J.F. (1981), "A physicoempirical model to predict the soil moisture characteristic from particle-size distribution and bulk density data", Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., 45(6), 1023-1030. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1981.03615995004500060004x.
  5. Bayat, M., Eslamian, S., Shams, G. and Hajiannia, A. (2019), "The 3D analysis and estimation of transient seepage in earth dams through PLAXIS 3D software: neural network", Environ. Earth Sci., 78(18). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-019-8405-y.
  6. Chalermpornchai, T., Kunsuwan, B. and Mairaing, W. (2021), "Simulation of rock crack and permeability in dam foundation during hydraulic fracturing", Int. J. Geomate, 21(86), 55-62. https://doi.org/10.21660/2021.86.j2276.
  7. Chen, Q. and Zhang, L. (2006), "Three-dimensional analysis of water infiltration into the Gouhou Rockfill Dam using saturated-unsaturated seepage theory", Can. Geotech. J., 43, 449-461.
  8. Chen, Y., Hu, R., Lu, W., Li, D. and Zhou, C. (2011), "Modeling coupled processes of non-steady seepage flow and non-linear deformation for a concrete-faced rockfill dam", Comput. Struct., 89, 1333-1351.
  9. Chen, Y.F., Yuan, J., Wang, G., Xu, J., Hu, R. and Yang, Z. (2022), "Evaluation of groundwater flow through a high rockfill dam foundation in karst area in response to reservoir impoundment", Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci., 160(2). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2022.105268.
  10. Cho, I.K., Ha, I.S., Kim, K.S., Ahn, H.Y., Lee, S. and Kang, H.J. (2013), "3D effects on 2D resistivity monitoring in earth-fill dams", Near Surf. Geophys., 12(1), 73-81. https://doi.org/10.3997/1873-0604.2013065.
  11. Fadaei-Kermani, E., Shojaee, S., Memarzadeh, R. and Barani, G.A. (2019), "Numerical simulation of seepage problem in porous media", Appl. Water Sci., 9(79). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-019-0965-1.
  12. Ferdos, F. and Jafarzadeh, F. (2009), "Establishing long term seepage behavior of zoned embankment dams with three-dimensional seepage analysis", Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Long Term Behaviour of Dams, Graz, Austria, October.
  13. Fredlund, D.G. (2006), "Unsaturated soil mechanics in engineering practice", J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng., 132(2).
  14. Fredlund, M.D., Wilson, G.W. and Fredlund, D.G. (2002), "Use of the grain-size distribution for estimation of the soil-water characteristic curve", Can. Geotech. J., 39(5), 1103-1117. https://doi:10.1139/t02-049.
  15. Fredlund, D.G., Xing, A. and Huang, S. (1994), "Predicting the permeability function for unsaturated soils using the soil-water characteristic curve", Can. Geotech. J., 31(4).
  16. GERD. (2019), "Semi-Quantitative risk assessment on stability of Saddle Dikes of Sirikit Dam", Final Report; Geotechnical Engineering Research and Development Center (GERD), Electricity Generating Authority, Uttaradit, Thailand.
  17. Guo, D.H., Sun, Y. and Gu, X.B. (2022), "Numerical simulation of a 3D seepage field of an asphaltic and concrete core rockfill dam in an arid area", Geofluids. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/7650527.
  18. Haghighi, A.T., Tuomela, A. and Hekmatzadeh, A.A. (2020), "Assessing the efficiency of seepage control measures in earthfill dams", Geotech. Geol. Eng., 38(5), 5667-5680. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-020-01371-w.
  19. ICOLD. (1994), "Embankment Dams - Granular Filters And Drains", International Commission on Large Dam, Haussmann, Paris.
  20. ICOLD. (2020), General Synthesis, World Register of Dams; World Register of Dams, Haussmann, Paris. https://www.icoldcigb.org/GB/world_register/general_synthesis.asp.
  21. Jafarzadeh, F., Ferdos, F. and Soleimanbeigi, A. (2009), "Comparison between two and three dimensional seepage analysis of rock-fill dams constructed in Narrow Valleys a case study", Commission Internationale Des Grands Barrages, Brasilia, Brazil, May.
  22. Kunsuwan, B., Chalermpornchai, T., Mairaing, W. and Thepjanthra, W. (2023), "Asesement of hydraulic fracturing in earth dams on complex foundations", J. Disaster Res., 18, 270-279. https://doi.org/10.20965/jdr.2023.p0270.
  23. Lapkrengkrai, S. (1992), "Vertical and horizontal permeability of compacted soil", Master Thesis, Kasetsart University, Nakhon Pathom.
  24. Liu, L.L., Cheng, Y.M., Jiang, S.H., Zhang, S.H., Wang, X.M. and Wu, Z.H. (2017), "Effects of spatial autocorrelation structure of permeability on seepage through an embankment on a soil foundation", Comput. Geotech., 87, 62-75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2017.02.007.
  25. Mairaing, W. (2021), "Introduction and general concepts for dam design", Designs of Earth and Rockfilled Dam Lectures, Department of Civil Engineering, Kasetsart University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.
  26. Mairaing, W. and Pintabut, W. (1995), "Seepage analysis of Mun Bon Dam by finite element method", KU Eng. J., 9(27), 131-151.
  27. Mairaing, W., Thepjunthra, W. and Chalermpornchai, T. (2023), "Hydraulic fracturing in earth dam monitoring by dam instruments", Proceeding of the 21st Southeast Asian Geotechnical Conference and 4th AGSSEA Conference (SEAGC-AGSSEA 2023), Bangkok, Thailand, October.
  28. Ng, A.K.L. and Small, J.C. (1999), "A case study of hydraulic fracturing using finite element methods", Can. Geotech. J., 36(5), 861-875. https://doi.org/10.1139/t99-049.
  29. Oya, A., Bui, H.H., Hiraoka, N., Fujimoto, M. and Fukagawa, R. (2015), "Seepage flow stability analysis of the riverbank of Saigon river due to river water level fluctuation", Int. J. Geomate, 8(15), 1212-1217.
  30. PLAXIS LE. (2021), PLAXIS LE Groundwater 1D/2D/3D Saturated/Unsaturated Finite Element Groundwater Seepage Modeling, The Bentley Systems Team, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
  31. Ren, J., Shen, Z.Z., Yang, J. and Yu, C.Z. (2016), "Back analysis of the 3-D seepage problem and its engineering applications", Environ. Earth Sci., 75(2). https://doi.org/ 10.1007/s12665-015-4837-1.
  32. Rong, Y., Zhang, T., Peng, L. and Feng, P. (2019), "Three-Dimensional numerical simulation of dam discharge and flood routing in Wudu reservoir", Water, 11(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/w11102157.
  33. RSIE. (2020), "Preliminary Design for Strengthening of Dike 4, Sirikit Dam", Research Report; Research Center for Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering (RSIE), Electricity Generating Authority, Uttaradit, Thailand.
  34. Rykaart, M., Fredlund, M. and Stianson, J. (2001), "Solving tailings impoundment water balance problems with 3-D seepage software", Geotech. News, 35(7), 50-59.
  35. Sachakamol, P. (1988), "Permeability in soil compaction to construction management", Master Thesis, Kasetsart University, Nakhon Pathom.
  36. Sadrekarimi, J., Kiyani, M., Fakhri, B., Vahdatirad, B.J. and Barari, A. (2011), "Seepage analysis of Upper Gotvand Dam concerning gypsum karstification (2D and 3D approaches)", Front. Struct. Civ. Eng., 5(1), 71-78. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11709-010-0083-5.
  37. Saejiaw, W., Kunsuwan, B., Mairiang, W., Chalermpornchai, C. and Thongthamehart, C. (2023), "Evaluation of hydraulic fracturing phenomena in earth dam", J. Eng. Innov., 16(1).
  38. Schaefer, J.A., O'Leary, T.M. and Robbins B.A. (2017), "Assessing the implications of sand boils for backward erosion piping risk", Proceedings of the Conference of Geo-Risk 2017, Denver, Colorado, June.
  39. Shahid, R.M., Moshrefy-far, M.R. and Rahimi, N. (2016), "Three-dimensional modeling of the permeability of the rock masses of Khersan 2 dam using geostatistical methods", Spec. J. Archit. Constr., 2(3), 21-42.
  40. Shahrbanouzadeh, M., Barani, G.A. and Shojaee, S. (2015), "Analysis of flow through dam foundation by FEM and ANN models Case study: Shahid Abbaspour Dam", Geomech. Eng., 9(4), 465-481. https://doi:10.12989/gae.2015.9.4.465.
  41. Sherard, J.L. (1986), "Hydraulic fracturing in embankment dams", Int. J. Geotech. Eng., 112(10), 905-927. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9410(1986)112:10(905).
  42. Singharajwarapan, S. and Berry, R.F. (1993), "Structural analysis of the accretionary complex in Sirikit Dam area, Uttaradit, northern Thailand", J. Southeast Asian Earth Sci., 8, 233-245.
  43. Sjodahl, P., Dahlin, T. and Zhou, B. (2006), "2.5D resistivity modeling of embankment dams to assess influence from geometry and material properties", Geophysics, 71(3), 107-114.
  44. Soualhi, M. and Benmebarek, N. (2022), "Experimental and numerical analyzes of parallel drains series performance in earth dams", Model. Earth Syst. Environ., 8, 1-14.
  45. Strzelecki, T., Uciechowska-Grakowicz, A., Strzelecki, M., Sawicki, E. and Maniecki, L. (2018), "Numerical 3D simulations of seepage and the seepage stability of the right-bank dam of the dry flood control reservoir in Raciborz", Stud. Geotech. Mech., 40(1), 11-20.
  46. U.S. (1977), "Failure of Teton Dam, a report of findings", Fiding Report; U.S. Dept. of the Interior Teton Dam Failure, Washington, United States.
  47. Wang, L., Deng, H., Xu, M., Li, Z., Nie, Y., Huang, Q. and Tang, W. (2022), "Three-Dimensional stability of unsaturated excavation slopes under different seepage conditions: a case study", Front. Earth Sci., 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2022.903728.
  48. Wayne, J. (2008), "The Teton Dam Failure - An effective warning and evacuation", Proceedings of the Association of State Dam Safety Officials 25th Anniversary Conference, San Diego, California, September.
  49. Yun, T., Butler, K.E. and MacQuarrie, K.T.B. (2022), "Investigation of seepage near the interface between an embankment dam and a concrete structure: monitoring and modeling of seasonal temperature trends", Can. Geotech. J., 60(4), 453-470. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2022-0169.