April 2014

Seepage Analysis Part II

Jim Talbot and John France

Uses of Flow Nets or

Numerical Solutions
Seepage quantities
Pore water pressures
Gradients
Uplift pressures
Design of seepage reduction or collection measures
Design of filters and drains

Seepage Quantities
Q = (k) (h) (Nf/Np)
Q = discharge per unit width of section
k = coefficient of permeability
h = total head drop through the flow net
Nf = number of flow paths
Np = number of equipotential drops

Pay attention to units k in ft./min; h in ft.; results in

Q = ft3/min per foot of section width (emb. Length)

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Seepage Quantities

Reference: USBR 1987

Discharge per unit width of section (per ft/embankment):

2.65
= 0.005 40 = 0.0059 3
9

Pore Water Pressure

ui = [((np / Np) x h)-zi] x w

ui = pore water pressure at location i

np = number of pressure drops between location i and zero
potential
Np = total number of equipotential drops
h = total head drop through the flow net
zi = vertical distance between location i and zero potential
elevation
w = unit weight of water (62.4 pcf)

Pore Water Pressure

Reference: USBR 1987

Hydrostatic pressure at any point using the equation in previous slide:

At point E, u1 = 40 17.8 62.4 = 553
At point F, u1 = 40 8.9 62.4 = 831
At point G, u1 = 40 17.8 62.4 = 276
u1 can also be determined graphically

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Gradients

i = h/L
i = gradient
h = head loss, which occurs across a single square = h / Np
L = length over which the head loss occurs

Remember that squares can be subdivided

Gradients

Reference: USBR 1987

Average hydraulic gradient for any square elements:

i= for shaded area, i = = 0.40

Uplift Pressures

h1 = 20 ft

B
A

Pressure:
At Point A: uA =[ (13/15 x 20 ft) (-9 ft)] x 62.4 pcf = 1,640 psf
At Point B: uB = (7.5/15 x 20 ft) (-9 ft)] x 62.4 pcf = 1,190 psf
Integrate to get total uplift pressure

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Flow Net Illustrations

a. Flow net for
embankment where
horiz. and vert.
perm. are same
foundation is
impervious

b. Flow net for

embankment and
foundation where
horiz. and vert.
perm. are same and
foundation same as
embankment will
never have this

Flow Net Illustrations

Flow net for an embankment foundation where the
permeability of the dam is much lower than the
foundation. Note effects of foundation drain under the
downstream pervious shell of the dam

Flow Net Illustrations

When there is a large

difference between the
embankment and
foundation permeability,
it is usually best to make
separate flow nets, then
add the seepage quantity
from each to determine
the total seepage quantity

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Flow Net Examples

Partially-Penetrating Cutoffs

Reference: Cedergren (1968)

Position of
Partially-Penetrating Cutoff

Reference: Cedergren (1968)

Flow Net Examples

Upstream Blankets

Reference: Cedergren (1968)

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Effects of Anisotropy in a
Homogeneous Embankment
kh = kv

kh = 4kv

kh = 9kv

Reference: Cedergren (1968)

Benefit of a Chimney Drain

Reference: Cedergren (1968)

Core Thickness and Escape

Gradients

Reference: Cedergren (1968)

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Plan Flow Net

Assumed Boundary
Assumed
Boundary

Nf = 13, Nd = 5, k = 5 ft/day
H = 1260 1225 = 35 ft
Assumed Boundary

13
= 5 35 5
5
Downstream = 2.28 3
bank of channel
El. 1225 ft
Reservoir water
Periphery Centerline of Dam
surface El. 1260 ft
of reservoir
Reference: Reclamation, Embankment Dams Design Standard No. 13, Chapter 8, 2011

Note: Bedrock assumed horizontal and to be a drainage face on west and

south boundaries. Elevation of entire drainage face = 1,225. East
boundary assumed impervious. Thickness of permeable zone (d) = 5ft.

Flow Net References

Seepage, Drainage, and Flow Nets, Third Edition,
Harry R. Cedergren, 1997
Design Standards No. 13, Chapter 8, Seepage,
Phase 4 (Final), U.S. Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Reclamation, October 2011

Numerical Analysis
Applications and Cautions
Can be used for all of the same applications as flow
nets
Easier to use for complicated cases
Not necessarily as easy to visualize flow patterns as
with flow nets use all output formats to understand
the model
Need to properly characterize soil permeability in the
unsaturated zone
Always calibrate the model or perform sensitivity
analysis

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Water flowing out of

model in 3rd dimension

Total head cross

section contours

Cross section follows

flow path

Cross section in plane

with groundwater flow
On section piez

Numerical Analysis Illustration 1

Lines of equal head (equipotential lines)

Taken from SEEP/W User Manual

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Numerical Analysis Illustration 2

Flow vectors

Taken from SEEP/W User Manual

Numerical Analysis Illustration 3

Lines of equal head and flow paths

Taken from SEEP/W User Manual

Numerical Analysis Illustration 4

Lines of equal head and flow lines approximating a flow net

Taken from SEEP/W User Manual

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Numerical Analysis Illustration 5

Flux lines

Taken from SEEP/W User Manual

Numerical Analysis Illustration 6

Flow lines and the phreatic surface

Phreatic Surface

Taken from SEEP/W User Manual

Numerical Analysis Illustration 7

Two embankment dam cases

Taken from SEEP/W User Manual

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Embankment Analysis Example

Piezometric Head Contours

Piezometric Heads and Flow

Paths

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Flow Vectors

Gradient Contours at the Toe

Simplified Solutions Blanket

and Partially-Penetrating Cutoff

Reference: Reclamation, Embankment

Dams Design Standard No. 13, Chapter 8,
2011

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Simplified Solutions
Impervious Blanket (1/2)

Reference: Reclamation, Embankment Dams Design Standard No. 13, Chapter 8, 2011

Simplified Solutions
Impervious Blanket (2/2)

Reference: Reclamation, Embankment Dams Design Standard No. 13, Chapter 8, 2011

Simplified Solutions
Semipervious Blanket (1/3)

Reference: Reclamation, Embankment Dams Design Standard No. 13, Chapter 8, 2011

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Simplified Solutions
Semipervious Blanket (2/3)

Reference: Reclamation, Embankment Dams Design Standard No. 13, Chapter 8, 2011

Simplified Solutions
Semipervious Blanket (3/3)

Reference: Reclamation, Embankment Dams Design Standard No. 13, Chapter 8, 2011

Simplified Solutions Efficiency

of Blankets and Cutoffs

Reference: Reclamation,
Embankment Dams Design
Standard No. 13, Chapter 8,
2011

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EXERCISE NO. 2

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