Lecturenote - 1219301080chapter 2 Embankment Dam-1
Lecturenote - 1219301080chapter 2 Embankment Dam-1
The foundation of embankment dam could either be earth or rock material. The
foundation provides support resisting both vertical and horizontal loads. It may also resist
seepage beneath the embankment
A core should not be composed of silt which tends to swell upon saturation. To avoid
swelling tendencies, the elasticity index should not exceed 30.
Typical requirements for core compaction are
90 – 97% of standard proctor maximum, or
87 – 95% of modified proctor maximum.
Water content: - as high as possible consistent with the above requirements.
Core thickness: - to control erosion and provide good compaction a minimum core
thickness in meters is given by
b = 6 + 0.1h (clay)
b = 6 + 0.3h (silt)
Where: h = head difference at that point;
b = core width at that point.
Shell
The purpose of shell is to provide structural support for the core and to distribute the
loads over the foundation. The shell also acts as foundation for most of the
appurtenances. Sometimes the core and shell of a dam are constructed of the same
material (homogenous dam).
Shell (embankment) materials
Availability and strength are the requirements for selection.
Strength: - the strength for the upstream side should be that at the inundated condition.
The same strength should be used for the downstream face which is below the
maximum phreatic line.
Permeability: - high permeability is desirable from the standpoint of pressure buildup
during construction and stability during sudden drawdown.
Typical compaction requirements:
95 – 100% of standard proctor maximum;
92 – 97% of modified proctor maximum.
Slopes: - shell slopes are based on stability analysis. When the stability is insufficient,
improvements are possible by adopting
a. Flatter slopes;
b. Increasing strength through high density;
c. Treatment for weak foundation;
d. Drainage of the foundation and embankment.
Table 2-2: Tentative slopes of shoulder for different embankment materials
Soil type Upstream Downstream
Gravel, sandy gravel with core 2.5H : 1V 2.0H : 1V
Clean sand with core 3.0H : 1V 2.5H : 1V
Low density silt, micaceous silt 3.5H : 1V 3.0H : 1V
Low plasticity clay 3.0H : 1V 2.5H : 1V
Composite slopes: - are used for large dams. They can be found in two ways: a series of
straight slopes or a constant slope with berms.
Maximum vertical height of run-up = Expected wave height * appropriate factor from
Table 2-3
Settlement allowance: the following may be used as guide.
For foundation: 1% of height of dam
For embankment: 1-2% of height of embankment
Splash allowance could be taken 0.30 – 0.50m.
Top Width:
Should be sufficient to keep the phreatic line with in the dam when the reservoir
is full
Should be sufficient to withstand wave action and earthquake shock
Figure 2.3 Principal variants of earth fill embankment dams (Values of m are examples)
The central core earth fill profile, shown in Figure (c) and (d), is the most common for
larger embankments dams. Larger embankment dams are also zoned and constructed of a
variety of materials Figure (f), either extracted from different local sources or prepared
by mechanical or hydraulic separation of source material into fractions with different
properties.
An important element in a zoned dam is an impermeable blanket or core which usually
consists of clayey materials obtained locally. In locations where naturally impermeable
materials are unavailable the dams are built of rock or earth-rock aggregates as shown in
Figure 2-, and the impermeable layers of reinforced concrete, asphalt concrete, or riveted
sheet steel are placed on the upstream face of the dam.
Figure 2-4 Principal variants of rock fill embankments dams (values of m are examples)
Selection of the optimum type of embankments for a specific location is determined
largely by the nature and availability of different fill materials in sufficient quantity.
The primary loads acting on an embankment do not differ in principle from those
applicable to gravity dams. There are, however, the conceptual differences there referred
to with regard to the water load which is exerted inside the upstream shoulder fill. Self
weight load, similarly a distributed internal body load, is significant with respect to
stability and internal stress for the embankment and for a compressible soil foundation.
Because of such differences, embankments dam analysis is less formalized and is carried
out quite differently from concrete dam analysis.
2.2.3 Causes of Failure of Embankment dams
Embankment dams, like any other engineering structure, may fail due to improper design,
faulty constructions, lack of maintenance, etc. Generally, causes of failure are grouped
into three classes: Hydraulic failure, Seepage failure and Structural failure.
Hydraulic failures: About 40% of earth dam failures have been attributed to these causes
due to;
1. Overtopping. Occurs when the design flood is less than the coming flood.
Spillway and outlet capacity must be sufficient to prevent overtopping.
Freeboard should also be sufficient to prevent overtopping by wave action.
2. Erosion of upstream faces. Wind waves of water developed due to wind near the
top water try to notch-out the soil from u/s face and may even sometimes
cause the slip of the u/s slope.(upstream slope pitching or rip rap should be
applied.)
3. Erosion of downstream face by gully formation. Heavy rains falling directly over
d/s face and the erosive action of the moving water may lead to the formation
of gullies on the d/s face, ultimately leading to the dam failure.
4. Cracking due to frost action. Frost in the upper portion of dam may cause
heaving of soil with dangerous seepage. Consequently failure. Provide an
additional free board allowance up to a maximum of say 1.5m may be
provided.
Structural failure: about 25% of the dam failures have been attributed to structural
failures. Structural failures are generally caused by shear failures, causing slides.
*
The progressive erosion and subsequent removal of soil grains from within the body of the dam or the
foundation of the dam
†
The progressive removal of soil from the wet d/s face.
5. Outlet works (tunnels and culverts): outlet works should where practicable be
constructed as a tunnel driven through the natural ground of the dam abutments.
Where this is difficult or uneconomical a concrete culvert founded on rock is a
satisfactory alternative.
6. Upstream face protection: several options are available for protection of the
upstream face against wave erosion, ranging from traditional stone pitching with
grouted joints through concrete facing slabs to the use of concrete block work,
rock armoring and riprap.
7. Embankments crest: the top width of larger earthen dam should be sufficient to
keep the seepage line well within the dam, when reservoir is full. The crest should
have a width of not less than 5m, and should carry a surfaced and well-drained
access road. The top width (W) of the earth dam can be selected as per the
following recommendation:
H
W 3 , For very low dams 4.1
5
W 0.55 H 0.2H , For dams lower than 30m 4.2
W 1.65H 1.53
1
, For dams higher than 30m 4.3
Where: H is the height of the dam.
The amount of seepage can be easily computed from the flow net, which consists of two
sets of curves, known as ‘Equipotential line’ and ‘stream lines’, mutually perpendicular
to each other. For homogeneous embankments dam, discharge per unit width (q) of the
dam passing through a flow net is described as:
Nf
q kH
Nd
Where: H is the head differential.
Nf is number of stream lines.
Nd id number of equipotential lines.
Determination of Phreatic Lines
It is absolutely essential to determine the position of the phreatic line, as its position will
enable to determine the following:
i. The divide line between the dry (or moist) and submerged soil.
ii. The top stream line and hence, helps us in drawing the flow net.
iii. To ensure that the phreatic line doesn’t cut the downstream face of the dam,
which is extremely necessary for preventing softening of the dam.
Figure 2-6 Seepage through homogenous dam section with horizontal filter
Where; FD is the distance of the focus from the directrix, called focal
distance and is represented by S.
If the horizontal distance between the already determined point A and the focus (F) is
taken as say b, then (b, H) represents the coordinates of the point A on the parabola. And
hence;
b2 H 2 b S
S b2 H 2 b
The center point (C) of FD will then be the vertex of the parabola. When x = 0, y= S.
Hence the vertical ordinate FJ at F will be equal to S. Knowing the points A, C, and J and
working out a few more points from the equation, the parabola can be easily drawn and
corrected for the curve BI, so as to get the seepage line BIJC.
The amount of seepage can also be calculated easily from the equation of the seepage line
as derived below.
Darcy’s law is defined as, q = KiA. When steady conditions have reached, the discharge
crossing any vertical plane across the dam section (unit width) will be the same. Hence,
the value i and A can be taken for any point on the seepage line
dy
i
dx
A y *1
dy
qK y
dx
But from the equation of the parabola,
y S 2 2 xS
1
q K . S 2 2 xs
2
1
2
1
.2S . S 2 2 xs
q KS
Example:
An earth dam made of a homogeneous material has a horizontal filter and other
parameters as shown in the figure. Determine the phreatic line and the seepage quantity
through the body of the dam.
5
A
Ø = 25°
2:1 c = 24 kN/sq.m
dry = 18.0 kN/cu.m 3:1
25
20
k = 5*10^-6 m/sec
Horizontal Filter
F
25 25 5 15 60
8
130
Ø = 12° dry = 18.3 kN/cu.m
c = 54 kN/sq.m sub = 18.3 kN/cu.m
x2 y2 x S
At point A, x = 65m, and y = 20m. Inserting into the parabola equation, S = 3.07m.
Working out a few more points from the equation, the parabola can be easily drawn and
corrected for the curve at the upstream face of the dam, so as to get the seepage line.
x -1.51 0 10 15 25 30 40 45 55 65
y2 0 9.06 69.26 99.36 159.56 189.66 249.86 279.96 340.16 400.36
y 0 3.01 8.32 9.97 12.63 13.77 15.81 16.73 18.44 20.01
20
25
Phreatic line
25 25 5 15 60
130
‡
α will be equal to 180o for a horizontal filter case and it will be less than 90 o when no drainage is
provided.
RL = 200.0m
RL = 197.5m
2:1
H = 19.5m 3:1
RL = 178.0m
Based on the above discussions, the characteristics of the phreatic line may be
summarized below:
1. At the entry point, the phreatic line must be normal to the upstream face
since the upstream face is a 100% equipotential line. For other entry
condition (Fig.2.8), the phreatic line starts tangentially with the water
surface.
2. The pressure along the phreatic line is atmospheric. Hence the only change
in the head along it is due to drop in the elevation of various points on it.
Due to this, the successive equipotential lines will meet it at equal vertical
intervals.
3. The focus of the base parabola lies at the break out point of the bottom
flow line, where the flow emerges out from relatively impervious medium
to a highly pervious medium.
4. When horizontal filter or drainage toe is provided, the phreatic line would
tend to emerge vertically.
5. In the absence of any filter, the seepage line will cut the downstream slope
at some point above the base. The location of this point, and the phreatic
line itself, is not dependent on the permeability or any other property, so
long as the dam is homogeneous. The geometry of the dam alone decides
these.
6. The presence of pervious foundation below the dam does not influence the
position of phreatic line.
7. In the case of a zoned dam with central impervious core, the effect of
outer shells can be neglected altogether. The focus of the base parabola
will be located at the downstream. Toe of the core (Fig. 2.8)
2.2.7 Stability analysis
Three considerations govern the design of an earth embankment.
i. Side slopes must be stable;
ii. Dimensions must be sufficient to control seepage;
iii. Base width must be long enough to distribute weight of dam over sufficient area
to prevent overstress in the foundation.
An earthen embankment usually fails because of the sliding of a large soil mass along a
curved surface.
Stability of side slopes of earth dam
Forms of side slope failure:
Toe failure: - most likely to occur when the slopes are relatively steep or when the soil
below the toe of the slope is strong.
Base failure: - occurs when the slopes are flat or when the soil below the toe is relatively
weak.
Face or slope failure: - occurs only when there is a relatively weak zone in the upper
part of the slope or when there is a very strong stratum above the toe level.
The method used for examining the stability of slopes of earthen embankments is called
the Swedish Slip Circle Method or the Slices Method. It assumes the condition of plane
strain with failure along a cylindrical arc. The location of the Centre of the possible
failure arc is assumed. The earth mass is divided into a number of vertical segments
called slices as shown in figure2.6. O is the center and r is the radius of the possible
failure.
3. The soil reaction across the arc. When the soil mass is about to slide, the soil
reaction will act at an angle ф (the angle of internal friction of the soil) to the
normal i.e. radial direction
4. The soil reaction on the two vertical sides of the slice exercised by the adjacent
slices on the right and left respectively.
5. Pore pressures at the base of the arc, and left and right side of the slice.
Usually it is assumed that the soil reactions on the two vertical sides of the slice cancel
each other and so also the pore pressures on the two sides balance each other
The disturbing force is the component of weight of slice in tangential direction i.e.,
T W sin ,
Where: α is the angle which the slope makes with the horizontal.
The total disturbing forces will be summation of disturbing forces for all slices;
T T 1 T2 T3 ....
The total disturbing moments over the sliding surface will be equal to
M d Ti ri r Ti
The magnitude of shear strength developed in each slice will depend upon the normal
components of that slice. Its magnitude will be:
cL N tan
Where; c is the unit cohesion of the soil
∆L is curved length of the slice
Ф is the angle of internal friction
N is equal to Wcosα
The total resisting force will be summation of resisting forces for all slices;
cL N tan
c L N tan
The total resisting moment over the entire sliding surface will be equal to
M r r c L N tan
Hence the factor of safety against sliding
M r c L tan N
FS
Md T
For determining the stability of the proposed side slope of an earth dam it is necessary to
find the least factor of safety which may occur on any of the possible surfaces of slippage
or slip circles. Slip circle which yields the least factor of safety is the most critical and
hence it is known as critical surface slippage or critical slip circle. For locating the critical
surface of slippage, it is necessary to try several different surfaces of slippage as one trial
gives the value of factor of safety for that arc only.
α
V41
4
Phreatic line
h4 V42
N4
Hydraulic structure I W4 τ4 Page 21
Chapter Two Embankment Dam 2012
Consider slice number 4 in Figure , the weight of the slice is defined as;
W4 dry *V41 sat *V42
α4 read from the scaled drawing of the earth fill dam. And tangential component of W4 is
defined as, whish is shear stress developed at failure plane,
T4 W4 sin 4
The pore pressure for slice 4 is represented by the piezometric head h4. Hence pore water
pressure is
U w4 w h4
Shear strength developed for the slice is quantified from two soil parameters, apparent
cohesion c and angle of shearing resistance ф. Shear strength at failure plane is defined as
4 cL4 W4 cos 4 w h4 L4 tan
b
Where; L4 is
cos 4
The factor of safety of slide 4 is
T4 cL4 W cos 4 w h4 L4 tan
FS 4
4 W4 sin 4
The factor of safety for the entire circle is then given by the equation
FS
c L W cos
i i i i h Li tan
w i
W sin i i
FS
c L N
i i
'
tan
T '
2.9.1 Stability of earth dam against horizontal shear developed at the base of the
dam
Approximate method for checking the stability of u/s and d/s slopes under steady
seepage from consideration of horizontal shear at base
1. Stability of u/s slope during sudden drawdown
It is based on the simple principle that a horizontal shear force Pu is exerted by the
saturated soil. The resistance to this force Ru is provided by the shear resistance
developed at the base of the soil mass, contained within the u/s triangular shoulder GMN
of Fig.
Considering unit length of the dam, the horizontal force Pu is
h 2 h
2
Pu 1 tan 2 45 w 1
2 2 2
sub h1 dry h h1
1
Where; h
Shear resistance Ru of u/s slope portion of the dam developed at base GN is given by
1
Ru cBu W tan cBu sub Bu h tan
2
Where; W is the weight of the u/s triangular shoulder of the dam
It is based on the consideration of horizontal shear at base under the d/s slope of the dam.
The horizontal shear force Pd is given by, referring Fig;
2 h 2 2 h2
2
Pu tan 45 w
2 2 2
sub h2 dry h h2
2
Where; h
Shear resistance Rd of d/s slope portion of the dam is given by;
Rd cBd W tan cBu dry A1 sub A2 tan
The downstream profile RTS of the downstream slope portion of the dam has an area A1
and of dry soil above seepage line and the area of submerged soil say A2 below the
seepage line.
The entire weight W may be calculated on the basis of submerged soil as it will be on a
still safer side. In that case,
W sub Bd h
The factor of safety against shear can be easily determined as;
Rd
FS
Pd
2.10 Foundation analysis
Foundation stress in earth dams are not usually critical except when the foundation
material consists of unconsolidated clay or silt with low shearing strength.
Consider a dam on homogeneous, unconsolidated earth foundation of thickness t
120.2
5
A1 A1
71.3
A2 A2
25
20
13.8
Phreatic line
12.5
A3 A3
A4 A4
25 25 5 15 60
130
Fig. Sample of failure circle, slices and related measurments of the earth dam section
Geometric properties of slices
Upstream Downstream
Slice L (m) L (m)
Area(m2) (deg) hw (m) Area (m2) (deg)
A1 25.97 32 0 14.5 68.58 40 18
A2 111.68 24 6.1 22 111.48 28 15.4
A3 120.83 15 6.2 20.7 96.1 17 14.2
A4 55.52 4 3.6 20.1 40.11 7 13.7
Area in relation with phreatic line.
Area (m2) Dam U/s shoulder D/s shoulder
Under seepage line 1102.08 838.1 221
(saturated)
Dry portion 584.92 99.4 404
Total 1687 937.5 625
To assess the overall stability of the dam considering 1m length,
Dam U/s shoulder D/s shoulder
Item Area(m ) Weight(kN) Area(m2) Weight(kN)
2
Area(m2) Weight(kN)
Under seepage
line 1102.08 13224.96 838.1 10057.2 221 2652
Dry portion 584.92 10528.56 99.4 1789.2 404 7272
Total 1687 23753.52 937.5 11846.4 625 9924
The stability design then proceeds by first considering the entire embankment and its
interaction with the foundation.
Shear resistance of the dam at the base(R)
R = C + W tanΦ
Where: C = total cohesive resistance of the soil at the base
= c*B*1 = 24 * 130 * 1
= 3120 kN
Wtan = 23753 * tan250
= 11076 kN
R = 3120 + 11076
= 14196 kN
Horizontal force due to hydrostatic pressure of water
P = ½ w h2 = ½ * 10 * 202
= 2000kN
Factor of safety against failure due to horizontal shear at the base
FS = R/P = 7.1 > 1.5 Safe!
sub h1 dry h h1
1
h
12 * 13.8 1825 13.8
25
14.7
h 2 h
2
Pu 1 tan 2 45 w 1
2 2 2
14.7 * 252 25 13.8 2
tan 2 45 10
2 2 2
2816.6
Shear resistance Ru of upstream slope portion of the dam developed at base GN is given
by,
Ru cBu W tan 54 * 75 11846.4 * 0.47 9574.1
Where; W is the weight of the upstream triangular shoulder of the
dam.
It has been known that the maximum intensity of shear stress occurs at a distance 0.6Bu
(where Bu is the base length of the upstream shoulder) from the heel and is equal to 1.4
times the average shear intensity.
Hence, maximum shear stress induced (τmax) = 1.4(Pu/Bu)
= 1.4 (2816.6/75)
= 52.6
The unit shear resistance developed at the same point is
τf = c + 0.6hsubtan
= 24 + 0.6 * 25 * 12 * tan 250
= 107.9
FS at the point of maximum shear should be greater than unity.
FS = τf / τmax = 107.9 / 52.6 = 2.0 > 1 Safe!
Ru 7904.3
FS 2.9 1.5 Safe!
Pu 2683.7
FS
c L N
i i
'
tan
2013.54
1.66 1.5 Safe!
T '
1214.56
Downstream slope
Slice W T N l N’=N- tanΦ N’tanΦ Cl N’tanΦ+cl
Area ul
A1 68.58 40 1234.44 793.48 945.64 18 945.64 0.47 444.45 432 876.45
A2 111.48 28 2006.64 942.06 1771.76 15.4 1771.76 0.47 832.73 369.6 1202.33
A3 96.1 17 1729.8 505.74 1654.22 14.2 1654.22 0.47 777.48 340.8 1118.28
A4 40.11 7 721.98 87.99 716.6 13.7 716.6 0.47 336.8 328.8 665.6
2329.27 Σ (N’tanΦ+cl) 3862.66
3862.66
FS 1.66 1.5 Safe!
2329.27
Example:
Determine the size of the bed material for the embankment dam with the grain size shown below.
Grain size Riprap Dam
D15 70 mm 0.3 mm
D85 130 mm 2.0 mm
Drain Conduit:
Function: to collect water from the filter and carry it away with as little head as possible.
Quantity of Flow: Estimated from the seepage analysis. A factor of safety of 5 is not uncommon.
Simplest conduit: uniform coarse fragmental material (coarse sand, gravel, crushed rock, etc.)
A properly designed filter must surround the drain. For high discharges or when suitable crushed
rock is not available, pipe conduits wig perforated and flexible joints are employed.
Types of drain
Trench drain:
Trench drain is used for intercepting seepage through homogeneous foundations and those
containing horizontal pervious strata or seams
Position- when there is cut-off, the drain is placed immediately downstream from the cut-off to
relieve any pressure build up.
When there is no cut-off, the position depends on the seepage analysis of dam and foundation.
Upstream location
Increases stability at the cost of increased seepage and cost of conduit.
Minimum distance from downstream toe to provide substantial increase in stability is 1/3 of the
base width. Maximum distance is 2/3 of base width, from downstream toe.
Blanket drain:
This is horizontal drain placed on top of foundation.
To intercept water from vertical fissures in the foundation;
To lower the seepage line in the embankment
Riprap:
Riprap is required on the upstream slope and the downstream slope below the tail water level. An
estimation of the required weight of rock pieces required for riprap is given by Hudson as
W (H2 ρst tan α) / (3.2Δ2)
Where: the factor 3.2 is for smooth quarry stone
ρst = density of rock
α = angle of slope
Δ = (ρst – ρw)/ ρw
ρw = density of water
Types of riprap
Dumped riprap: consists of angular broken rock dumped from truck and spread.
Hand-placed riprap: consists of more or less prismatic stone placed on end to form rough
pavements.
River diversion is a technique of diverting river water away from downstream part into the canal
or tunnel or to particular confined side.
Coffer Dam: usually earthen embankment (for economic purpose) is constructed on the U/S and
D/S of the dam site to isolate the construction area which is to be kept dry.
The diversion tunnel or canal takes off U/S of the coffer dam on the U/S and then
joins on the D/S of the coffer dam in the D/S side.
Some water usually seeps into the construction area, which has to be pumped out
to keep the area dry.
The diversion of river water can be accomplished in either of the following ways:
Diversion tunnel or
diversion channel
D/S
U/S coffer dam
U/S U/S
Coffer
dam
Construction
Construction
zone on the
area
Completed
portion of 2nd stage
the dam
diverted overtopped
flow flow
D/S
D/S
ii.2nd stage diversion
i. 1st stage diversion
III. River diversion through the construction site (through culverts in the body of
the dam) Example: Gilgel Gibe Hydroelectric project
Culverts
Construction zone
Culverts
D/S Coffer dam
of main dam
Culverts
Construction zone
of main dam
Flood occurs when the flow depth h is larger than the limit depth h L and the
corresponding limit discharge QL can be predicted. If the limit discharge QL
has a return period of n years, the probability of flooding within one year is
P1 = n-1
Pm = 1 – (1- n-1)m
This probability is also referred to as the hydrologic risk of the construction site. For n
>> m, Pm = m/n. For instance if the risk of flooding is limited say to 10%, the design
flood has a return period of n = 10m. Accordingly, the design discharge QD = QL = Qn
where n = 10m.
Generally for different construction period and hydrologic risk of 5% & 10% the value
of return period for the design discharge is determined from the following graph.
Graph for determination of return period for design discharge for different
construction period and hydrologic risk.
700
10% hydrologic risk
5% hydrlolgic risk
600
500
Return period (years)
400
300
200
100
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Construction period (years)
Tunnels are usually confined to steep side rock valleys. They have the advantage of not
interfering with foundation excavation and dam construction work. Culvert under embankment
dams may be preferred in flat valleys or where the rock is too poor for efficient tunneling, but
tunneling appears to be the most frequent choice.
River diversion through tunnels is the commonest practice in the construction of high head dams.
An economic and engineering study of coffer dam height versus tunnel size may be done to
establish the most economic combination for the maximum diversion discharge. It is also
possible to plot a chart to see the tunnel –to-coffer dam cost alternative and to select the most
economical combination.