Parametric Study of Filter Lengths Effect on Stability of Earth Dams

Abstract

Seepage is one of the main reasons behind the earth’s dam failure which needs high attention to prevent or govern its negative effect. One of the most effective parts that may reduce the effect of seepage and keep it within permissible limits is the filter which mostly installed at the downstream end of the dam base. In this study, the effect of many filter lengths on the main stability elements of the earth dam due to downstream arc failure was examined. Furthermore, the filter length effect on the seepage amount and behavior of pore water pressure has also been studied. Different random homogenous silty earth dam sections have been used and the analyses using the (SLOPE/W and SEEP/W) numerical analysis program were performed. The findings showed that filter length has a significant effect on the variation of pore water pressure whereas less effect is indicated on the rate of seepage flow inside the earth dam body.

Keywords

• earth dam filter
• earth dam stability
• seep/w