Analysis of Seepage through an Earth Dam Using the Energy Equation and Comparison with the Seep/W Numerical Model (A Case Study of Maroon Reservoir Dam)
محورهای موضوعی : Journal of Building Information ModelingRoozbeh Aghamijidi 1 , Amir Vakili 2
1 - Assistant Professor in Department of Civil Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Sepidan, Iran
2 - Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Beyza, Iran
کلید واژه: Earth Dam Seepage, Energy Equation, Seep/W Software, Maroon Dam,
چکیده مقاله :
Among the various challenges faced by soil dams worldwide, leakage stands out as a persistent issue, impacting their design, execution, and upkeep. Controlling water leakage is a critical aspect of dam design, operation, and maintenance. By understanding the mechanisms and principles of leakage, engineers can implement effective strategies to mitigate and manage leakage in dams, contributing to advancements in geotechnical and civil engineering practices. This research investigates one of the most advanced methods for studying leakage in soil dams, comparing the findings with actual leakage data. Strategies for mitigating leakage issues are evaluated, and the most effective solutions are highlighted. Hydraulic flow analysis in porous media, coupled with numerical methods for solving water flow equations in saturated soils, forms the foundation of the study. Leakage is further analyzed using mathematical models, supported by the Seep/W software, which utilizes finite element analysis to define saturation and unsaturation zones—an essential aspect of leakage studies. The software computes the relationship between position (r) and time (t) in leakage scenarios. This study focuses on the Maroon soil dam as a case study, where various leakage control methods are tested. The software results are compared with actual leakage data to validate the proposed strategies and identify the most reliable solutions for minimizing leakage in soil dams.
Among the various challenges faced by soil dams worldwide, leakage stands out as a persistent issue, impacting their design, execution, and upkeep. Controlling water leakage is a critical aspect of dam design, operation, and maintenance. By understanding the mechanisms and principles of leakage, engineers can implement effective strategies to mitigate and manage leakage in dams, contributing to advancements in geotechnical and civil engineering practices. This research investigates one of the most advanced methods for studying leakage in soil dams, comparing the findings with actual leakage data. Strategies for mitigating leakage issues are evaluated, and the most effective solutions are highlighted. Hydraulic flow analysis in porous media, coupled with numerical methods for solving water flow equations in saturated soils, forms the foundation of the study. Leakage is further analyzed using mathematical models, supported by the Seep/W software, which utilizes finite element analysis to define saturation and unsaturation zones—an essential aspect of leakage studies. The software computes the relationship between position (r) and time (t) in leakage scenarios. This study focuses on the Maroon soil dam as a case study, where various leakage control methods are tested. The software results are compared with actual leakage data to validate the proposed strategies and identify the most reliable solutions for minimizing leakage in soil dams.
