UNISA

Department of Civil Engineering

PEC3603 – Project Based Learning
Project Part C: Geotechnical Engineering

Seepage and Slope Stability Analysis

of an Embankment Dam

Open Rubric
 Table of contents

1.1 Outcomes and Assessment Criteria ...................................................................................... 1

1.3 Design guidelines and documentation .................................................................................. 2
1.4 Task breakdown........................................................................................................................... 2
1.5 Material parameters, design considerations and software .............................................. 2
1.7 Design report ................................................................................................................................ 4
1.8 Deliverables .................................................................................................................................. 4
1.9 Due date ......................................................................................................................................... 4
1.10 How your design report will be marked .............................................................................. 4

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1.1 Outcomes and Assessment Criteria

Specific
Assessment criteria
outcomes
Seepage Analysis, • Design/simulate three models (i. Simple model with
Filter design and
no drains, ii. Blanket drain, iii. Chimney drain).
Model Selection
• Filter designs for the two models with drainage
systems (i.e. blanket and chimney drains).
• Choose a model and motivate your decision/choice,
based on practical factors.
Slope Stability • Determine factor safety (FoS) for the selected
Analysis (Only for
design/model.
selected model)
• Determine pore water pressure effect on the
stability of an embankment.
• Present a simulated model with FoS if seismicity is
involved.
Compile project • Compile a well-structured geotechnical design report
documentation
with all the required information

1.2 Project Brief

The objective of this assignment is to conduct a geotechnical analysis, including slope
stability and seepage assessments, for the design of an embankment dam. You are
expected to apply principles of geotechnical engineering and numerical modelling,
focusing on specifying foundation soil parameters for sensible simulations. You are
welcome to develop your assumptions (see the link below for given data).

This project aims to apply your geotechnical engineering knowledge and:

(a) do filter design for your models,

(b) seepage analysis for three embankment dams (information given in Section
1.1) with the geometry in Section 1.5, and
(c) slope stability for your selected model.

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1.3 Design guidelines and documentation

Use the following specifications or documentation for design and documentation, you
can most certainly find material on your own to base your design on:
https://www.fao.org/3/i1531e/i1531e.pdf
https://pdfcoffee.com/qdownload/franki-guide-pdf-free.html (Franki)

Note: You can also use any online material you find.

1.4 Task breakdown

Your task is to determine the following, as expected from the relevant municipality:
1.4.1 Filter Design
• Material selection for filter.
• Determine the position and dimensions of the filter for each model.

1.4.2 Seepage Analysis

• Seepage quantities/volume during steady state x3.
• Pore-pressure distribution x3.
• Flownet visualization x3.

1.4.3 Slope Stability Analysis

• The factor of safety during steady state x1.

• The factor of safety during seismic events x1.

1.4.4 Writing a geotechnical engineering design report covering all aspects required
as outlined in this document.

1.5 Material parameters, design considerations and software

The geometry of your embankment dam is as follows (not drawn to scale). Remember
that the geometry, type of material, and position/location of the filters are to be decided
by you as the designer, therefore, look for some literature online.

The material of the embankment body has the following material parameters:
• Hydraulic Conductivity (K): 10-2 cm/s

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 • Porosity (n): 0.35
• Unit Weight (γ): 19.5 kN/m³
• Cohesion (c): 15 kPa
• Compressibility (mv): 0.005 m²/year
• Shear Strength Parameters (c', φ'): c' = 15 kPa, φ' = 36°

4.5m
Upstream
Water level
1
2m 2
1.1
Downstream 15m
2.5
Water level 1
7m
2

Soft clay (3m)

Sand (5m)

Rock

Considerations for your design:

• For seepage, run only a steady-state analysis, you do not need to do the rapid
drawdown.
• The rock is impervious.

The following is available to you:

• Franki – the book that contains design parameters for different soils (to be used
to assume foundation materials, NOT embankment material).
• Seepage analysis and slope stability software of your choice: PLAXIS, Prokon
Geotech (already available for UNISA students), SLOPE/W, FLAC/Slope (open
source), RockScience etc. Note: GeoStudio’s SLOPE/W, RockScience and
PLAXIS can still be used even if they are not for free, consider sending them
an email for a 30-day trial, which will be enough for you to complete the
simulation.
• Online resources (always remember to reference all the material you use!)

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1.7 Design report

Your report must have everything as requested in the sections above.

1.8 Deliverables

You must submit the following:

• Single PDF file of your design report, which includes appendices with the BOQ,
quantity calculations and so forth (as per Section 1.7)
• Your software design file (can be zipped)

Details on how to submit these two files will be posted on the PEC3603 module site.

1.9 Due date

Due date to be announced.

1.10 How your design report will be marked

The following marking guide will be used for your report:

Aspect of the Criteria Maximum
report mark
awarded
Format of the • The report is structured as required and contains 5
overall report all the necessary information.
• The report is written and neatly formatted.
Introduction • The purpose of the report is briefly described. 5
• The introduction provides an overview of how the
report is structured.
Project Overview • Client requirements are clearly outlined. 10
• The scope of work is well delineated.
• The location of the site and the design
requirements are clearly identified.
The design and • Appropriately chosen parameters for all 75
simulation foundation materials.
• Slope stability analyses and the pore water
pressure influence.
• Different loading conditions analysed (seismicity
with appropriate PGA for the Southern parts of
Africa)

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 • Appropriate limit equilibrium method (LEM) was
selected for the analysis.
• Appropriate design guidelines were followed.
• The design is functional and will meet client
requirements.
• The design is cost-effective.
• Boundary conditions are properly specified, and
visible
• Seepage volumes are shown on each model with
flownet.
• Analysis of the pore-pressure distribution for each
model.
• Clear and sensible selection, through comparison,
of the best model.
Conclusion • The conclusion briefly and clearly summarises the 5
project, indicating how it will meet client needs.
TOTAL 100