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An earth dam on a pervious but strong earth foundation has the cross-section shown in
the figure below. The core of the dam is sealed from the jointed rock foundation with a
thin layer of grout.
(a) State the function and properties of the core shell and drains;
(b) What is the function of the grout between the core and foundation? Under what
conditions is it most important?
(c) Calculate the seepage quantity per foot of length of the dam (1) through the dam, (2)
through the foundation, and 3) the total.
(d) What grading requirements should be specified for the inclined filter A?
(e) What minimum permeability k is required in the horizontal drain B to prevent
saturation from rising into the random fill zone? Give the results of k in ft/day.
Reservoir surface
inclined filter A
10 ft
H=100 ft
core
150 ft
grout
horizontal drain B
H=5 ft
Note: The grain size of core = 100% passes 1”, 15% size = 1/8”, and 85% size = 0.001 in.
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Solution:
(a) The core is used to retain water within the dam, that is, to resist seepage. The material
should be relatively impermeable (clay) and should not shrink or swell excessively.
The shell provides the structural strength to support and protect the core. The material
must be more permeable than the core material, strong and durable.
The drains are provided to reduce the pore water pressures in the foundation and in
the embankment to increase stability. The drains also remove seepage water to reduce
soil erosion. The drain material must be permeable enough to permit drainage with a
low head loss and yet fine enough to keep the adjacent soil in place.
(b) The primary function of the grout between the core and foundation is to form an
impervious layer which prevents seepage along the contact surface. This becomes
most important when the ratio k2/k1 becomes large.
(c) Calculate the seepage Q by using the flow net shown in the figure.
In zone #1, the flow net is nearly rectangular, so (b)1 = 2; for zone # 4, (b )j = 1
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Nd
(e) The drain B must carry the total seepage flow Q = 3.83 ft3/day/ft of dam calculated above.
The Dupuit formula for two-dimensional flow on a horizontal impervious boundary is
Q = k (h12-h22)
2L
At what value of h2 will it minimize k? Clearly it is when h2 = 0, although this does seem
unrealistic since we are saying that the flow at the lower end of the drain has zero depth.
Nevertheless, it gives us a minimum value, which is:
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Grading Requirements for filter A
Core
Acceptable Range
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