Design charts for sheet piles-downstream blanket systems

Abstract EN

The work reported in this research presents numerical investigations on the effect of Sheet Piles-downstream blanket of any length and location under a concrete dam of negligible thickness and limited length, on the uplift heads under dam, seepage discharges, and exit gradients through the complex foundation with a finite depth of soil layer.

The problem is solved numerically with aid of the finite element method.

The results are presented in a form of design charts, with dimensionless parameters; maximum uplift head (Ф / H), relative length of downstream blanket (Lb / Lf ), relative depth of upstream and downstream cutoff walls(d2 / d1 ), relative exit gradient(ie / H / Lf ), and relative seepage quantities(q / k H).

These design charts can be used to estimate maximum uplift head around upstream and downstream Sheet Piles respectively, seepage discharge, and exit gradient under concrete dam.

The applicability and validity of the charts were examined and compared with relevant existing approximations from literature and showed good performance.