Analysis of the filtration processes in soil embankment based on numerical modelling and temperature measurements

Abstract

This paper presents analysis of the filtration processes in experimental soil embankment. The analysis is made during flooding experiments. The analysis is based on numerical modelling and temperature measurements. The measurements were performed on experimental embankment, which size is in scale 1:5 comparing to Polish typical river embankments. This experimental embankment was built in a frame of ISMOP project [1]. It was constructed by the NeoSentio company to investigate the influence of sensors installation for the filtration process and structure stability. The embankment was dry in the beginning of the experiment. The flooding and discharging process took about 8 hours. Filtration of water through the embankment caused changes of the inner temperature, which was measured by thermal sensors inside the embankment. Pore pressure sensors registered changes in water level in embankment. Furthermore, 2D numerical modelling in FLAC 7.0 software was performed. The model reflects the geometric and geotechnical attributes of the real embankment. Comparison between measured and modelled temperatures was performed. The model quite well predicts the time when water reach each sensor. But there is a difference in the rate of fall of water level. Modification the parameters of the model allows to fit the modelled data to measured values.