MATEC Web of Conferences 101, 05007 (2017) DOI: 10.

1051/ matecconf/201710105007
SICEST 2016

Influence of pore water pressure to seepage and stability of

embankment dam (case study of Sermo Dam Yogyakarta,
Indonesia)
Undayani Cita Sari1*, Sri Prabandiyani Retno Wardani1, Suharyanto1, and Windu Partono1
1
Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Diponegoro University, 50275 Semarang, Indonesia

Abstract. Today, water requirements are not analogously with its availability. Therefore, build water
reservoir dam is one of the simple concepts for fulfilling water requirements. Embankment dam is one of
the most popular dam build in Indonesia. Stability of embankment dam should be taken into account to
evaluate the safety condition in retaining water. Safety against seepage is one of the most important steps
for checking the possibility of failure of embankment dam. PLAXIS is alternative software that can be used
for evaluating safety of embankment dam due to seepage condition. This paper explains the study of pore
water pressure and seepage effects against Sermo Dam safety using PLAXIS and compares it with field
measurement data from piezometer and V-Notch monitoring. The study was conducted during dam
operational conditions. The analysis was carried out using Mohr-Coulomb model to calculate discharge of
seepage and settlement. The value of pore water pressures within the model, upstream and downstream,
positions are then reviewed with the real dam. The results of model analysis shows that the more higher
water level within the dam reservoir the more higher pore water pressure will be happened that affects in
increasing discharge of seepage and settlement of dam.

1 Introduction stress on land increases, it can increase strength of the

ground to against instability resulting landslide on the
Construction of the dam is needed so that water as a slope. On the other way, if the stress on the ground is
fundamental natural resource, can be long in the land reduced, the more easily on slopes in landslide.
before flowing back into the sea, as well as allow time to Deformation due to increased water levels studied on
absorption the ground water. In order for the benefits to the Shuibuya Dam, China which is rockfill dam with
be sustainable, it needs to know the safety, especially impermeable layer of concrete in the upstream (Concrete
when the dam operates. More than 70% dam in Faced Rockfill Dam) [5]. Observation instrument for
Indonesia is an embankment dam as stated by Soedibyo monitoring done at WS01 to WS11 which measures the
[1]. In this type of embankment dam, it should be taken deformation in the dam. Observations monitoring shows
into account in order to ensure its stability in retaining that when the water level increases, the settlement in
water. dam also increases. In addition, the observation was also
One of the principal criteria for dam safety is safe made by using Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar
against failure due to seepage [2]. Seepage through dam (InSAR), which has result that consistent with the result
body and foundation can cause erosion. The transport of from the monitoring measurements. The combination of
material through dam by seepage flow may result in the results between monitoring in-situ and InSAR
fractures, which can reduce the capacity of dam. In measurements indicate that the settlement is affected by
addition, excessive seepage can cause reed erosion gravity and the water level of reservoir at the dam, so
increasingly and potentially cause landslide until the that the largest settlement occurred at the peak of the
dam collapse. Sudardja [3] stated that the seepage that dam.
occured within embankment dam is affected by water The influence of dam water level with settlement is
level height. also given using a laboratory model of the embankment
In addition, with the change in water level can also dam [6]. The study was conducted at three variations of
affect the increase in pore water pressure. Pore water the upstream slope of the dam, 1:1; 1:1.5; and 1:2. The
pressure can trigger embankment slope instability and result shows, when water level height increases, then the
deformation. Morton et al. [4] study on the high walls deformation is getting bigger. In addition, with the fill on
suggested that the increase in pore water pressure will the upstream slope steeper makes sliding on the
lead to a reduction in stress, while decreasing pore water downstream slope of the dam models more quickly
pressure will lead for an increasing in stress. When the occur.

*
Corresponding author: [email protected]
© The Authors, published by EDP Sciences. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution
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MATEC Web of Conferences 101, 05007 (2017) DOI: 10.1051/ matecconf/201710105007
SICEST 2016

Based on these problems, it is necessary to study the validation checks between the value of pore water
seepage and stability analysis (in this case to be pressure monitoring with piezometers in the field and
reviewed is settlement), to analyze the security of the value of pore water pressure modeling simulation results
dam caused by the influence of pore water pressure. using PLAXIS.
Seepage and stability analyzes performed on operational Based on the graph in Figure 1 and four water level
condition so that it can be seen the influence of pore that have been determined for analysing in this study, it
water pressure in these conditions. This study took place can be obtained the new discharge of seepage V-Notch
in the Sermo Dam located in the Hargowilis village, that can be seen in Table 1. Standard error of 120 data is
Kokap, Kulon Progo, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. 0.05, whereas the standard deviation is 0.537, so that can
be determined the uper value limit and lower value limit
of the new discharge of seepage. The uper value limit
2 Research method and lower value limit for the new disharge of seepage
The research method is an important thing which is used can be seen in Table 1.
as reference studies for research stage. In this study, the Table 1. New discharge of seepage data through V-Notch
first stage is carried out based on the field data collection
of water level from monitoring Peil Schaal and discharge Water Discharge of Lower
of seepage monitoring V-Notch in the field at zero Uper Limit
Level Seepage V-Notch Limit
(liter/sec)
rainfall. (m) (liter/sec) (liter/sec)
Sermo Dam modeling done by using PLAXIS in
analyzing every operational conditions reviewed in the 126.33 0.05 0.58 0.00
study. There are three cross sections on Sermo Dam, 133.47 0.38 0.92 0.00
which are sta 12, sta 15, and sta 18, but in this study the
cross section is reviewed in sta 15. Further analysis 136.60 0.97 1.50 0.43
discharge of seepage, settlement, and the pore water 136.71 1.00 1.54 0.46
pressure are based on modeling using PLAXIS and the
explanation can be seen as follows.
2.2 Modeling of Sermo Dam
2.1 Field data collection
Sermo Dam is included in zonal dam, consisting of
Water levels are needed to determine the conditions used permeable zone (shell), impermeable zone (core), and a
in this research analysis. In this study, determined the filter zone (classification zone based on Sosrodarsono
water level used is at the zero rainfall. Then graphed the and Takeda [8]). Sermo Dam itself is a rockfill dam
relation between water level and discharge of seepage zonal types with clay core.
measurement with V-Notch, so it can be determined the Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional Sermo Dam which
discharge of seepage for each condition water levels is is reviewed in this study, namely the sta 15. Figure 3
analyzed. Graph relation between water level and shows a cross section Sermo Dam on the sta 15 which is
discharge of seepage can be seen in Figure 1, which uses modeled using PLAXIS. It should be noted that at this
120 data field from 2000 to 2014 based on Departemen Sermo Dam given chamber of 2.142 meters, from a
Pekerjaan Umum [7]. The graph’s correlation value (R2) height of 141.00 meters to 143.142 meters.
is 0.666. This study is conducted using modeling Mohr-
Coulomb on PLAXIS, which is applying the finite
element method by dividing the dam structure into small
dots related with nodal (meshing). The finer meshing is
done, then the result will be more accurate. In this study,
using very fine type of meshing with 15-node. Very fine
type of meshing produces about 1000 elements [9].
Parameters of material at the dam determined based
on data from soil investigation by Caturbina Guna
Persada [10] and field testing data from Departemen
Pekerjaan Umum [11]. The data’s parameters materials
bedrock based on design data from Departemen
Pekerjaan Umum [12].
Determining the value of permeability coefficient is
Fig. 1. Correlation between water level and discharge of from the result discharge of seepage measurements using
seepage without rainfall condition PLAXIS modeling and calibrated with discharge of
seepage from monitoring V-Notch in the field at water
Water levels reviewed in this study analysis are level 135.20 meters. The result in this discharge of
126.33 meters; 133.47 meters; 136.60 meters; and seepage monitoring with V-Notch is 1.055 liters/second
136.71 meters. The selection of water level was adjusted [7].
to the availability of data piezometers in the field which
is recorded every seven days. This is because before
analysing this research study, then also do the data

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MATEC Web of Conferences 101, 05007 (2017) DOI: 10.1051/ matecconf/201710105007
SICEST 2016

Fig. 2. Location of piezometer within the cross section of Sermo Dam [13]

transition
core
filter
transition

shell

bedrock

Fig. 3. PLAXIS modeling overview of Sermo Dam

Table 2. PLAXIS parameters of material used in the model of Calibration the parameters material is performed at
Sermo Dam three station locations within Sermo Dam, which are sta
12, sta 15, and sta 18, along 190 meters as the length of
Parameter the peak of dam, so expect the results is obtained in
Zone of Cohesion Angle of accordance with the real situation on the field. Neither,
Dam Ȗsaturated Ȗunsaturated
(c) Friction the parameter values of Young's modulus and Poisson
(kN/m3) (kN/m3)
(kN/m2) ( 0) value figures on core zone, which are determined using
Core 18.74 15.41 8.3 32 back analysis method by calibration with settlement
Filter 21 18.5 0.001 35 gauge. Thus parameter of materials values shown in
Transition 21.7 21.6 0.001 35 Table 2.
Shell 21 20 0.001 43
Bedrock 21.82 20.12 680 55 2.3 Discharge of seepage analysis
Discharge of seepage calculation by analyzing the
Table 3. PLAXIS parameters of material used in the model of resultant discharge of the dam cross-section modeling
Sermo Dam
using PLAXIS, which is calculated from the total
Parameter
discharge of seepage along 190 meters as the length of
the dam. Discharge of seepage calculation results using
Zone of Coefficient of Young’s
Dam Poisson modeling PLAXIS can be compared with measurements
Permeability Modulus (E)
(v) of the new discharge of seepage from V-Notch which
(k) (m/day) (kN/m2)
has been calculated in Table 1, for each condition is
Core 2.32 x 10-4 5500 0.45 analyzed.
Filter 134.10 6000 0.30 Pore water pressure is measured at each stress point
Transition 14.292 8000 0.30 in PLAXIS modeling that has nearly same coordinates
Shell 12154.69 200000 0.35 with the coordinates of the piezometer in field under
Bedrock 6.00 210000 0.45 review. Piezometer’s reviewed in this study (see Figure

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MATEC Web of Conferences 101, 05007 (2017) DOI: 10.1051/ matecconf/201710105007
SICEST 2016

2) are on the upstream side of the PC-7 and PC-8 (core According to the tolerable resulting discharge of
zone). Meanwhile, the downstream are in PF-13 and PF- seepage should not exceed 0.56 liters/minute/meter, for
16 (bedrock zone). Coordinates PC-7 and PC-8 are high dams greater than 40 meters [14]. The sta 15 of
located at 143.85; 91.20 and 156.85; 91.20. While Sermo Dam which is analyzed in this study, has a height
coordinate PF-13 and PF-16 are located at 181.85; 70.0 of 56.70 meters (Figure 2). Meanwhile, based on Table
and 206.850; 70.0. In this study do a review of the 3, the maximum discharge using PLAXIS is in the water
settlement, as one aspect of stability. Analyse settlement level 136.71 meters with a discharge of 0.83 liters/sec or
is to look at the maximum settlement that occurred in the equal to 0.26 liters/minute/meter. The discharge value is
Sermo Dam using PLAXIS modeling. smaller than 0.56 liters/minute/meter, so it is still less
than the tolerable discharge requirements. Meanwhile,
when seen from the settlement, the value of the
3 Results and discussions maximum settlement result from numerical modeling
Based on the analysis performed, the results discharge of using PLAXIS is 1.16 meters in water level of 136.71
seepage using PLAXIS modeling in each waters levels meters (Table 4). The tolerance settlement at the end
are analyzed in this study shown in Table 3. From Table construction is 2% of dam height [15]. It is approaching
3 it can be concluded that the higher water level then with the value of settlement result from modeling using
also higher the discharge of seepage. This is according to PLAXIS.
research that have been done before [3], which examined In this study, also given the relation between the
the effects of fluctuations in water level in the dam water level and pore water pressure result using PLAXIS
seepage using laboratory models. The stability in this modeling. As already explained, that piezometers are
study to evaluated is settlement. Large drop settlement reviewed on the upstream and downstream, they are PC-
can lead to instability of the dam. The relation of water 7, PC-8, PF-13, and PF-16 (Figure 2). The value of pore
level and the maximum settlement in the core zone is water pressure from PLAXIS modeling is obtainabled by
shown in Table 4. taking the stress point in PLAXIS which have similiar or
approaching coordinates (in x-axis and y-axis) with the
Table 4. Discharge of seepage analysis on Sermo Dam using coordinates in each piezometer that is reviewed. Relation
PLAXIS between water level and pore water pressure in PC-7 and
PC-8 modeling using PLAXIS can be seen in Table 5.
Discharg Discharge Meanwhile Table 6 shown the relation between the water
Water e of Uper Lower of Seepage level and pore water pressure in PF-13 and PF-16.
Level Seepage Limit Limit Using
(m) V-Notch (lt/sec) (lt/sec) PLAXIS Table 6. Relation between water level and pore water pressure
(lt/sec) * (lt/sec) on the PC-7 and PC-8 using PLAXIS
126.33 0.05 0.58 0.00 0.58
Water Pore Water Pressure
133.47 0.38 0.92 0.00 0.69 Level
(m) (PC-7) (PC-8)
136.60 0.97 1.50 0.43 0.71
126.33 34.57 kPa 126.32 m 16.83 kPa 126.67 m
136.71 1.00 1.54 0.46 0.83
133.47 41.20 kPa 133.46 m 33.32 kPa 130.97 m
* Based on Figure 1 and Table 1
136.60 54.30 kPa 135.59 m 45.88 kPa 132.25 m
Table 5. Maximum settlement on core zone of Sermo Dam 136.71 66.19 kPa 136.50 m 61.13 kPa 135.25 m
using PLAXIS modeling
Table 7. Relation between water level and pore water pressure
Water Level Maximum Settlement in the on the PF-13 and PF-16 using PLAXIS
No
(m) Core Zone (m)
Water Pore Water Pressure
1 126.33 1.10 Level
(m) (PF-13) (PF-16)
2 133.47 1.14
126.33 6.79 kPa 88.46 m 4.30 kPa 86.67 m
3 136.60 1.16 133.47 9.50 kPa 87.66 m 9.47 kPa 85.59 m
4 136.71 1.16 136.60 14.26 kPa 87.01 m 10.54 kPa 85.28 m
136.71 16.17 kPa 86.97 m 11.54 kPa 85.37 m
Table 4 shows that in operational condition, the
higher water level so does the settlement. This is relevant Table 5 and Table 6 show that the higher water level,
with research that have been done before [5], which the higher the pore water pressure, and at a position
examines monitoring settlement in Shuibuya Dam, downstream of the dam (bedrock zone in PF-13 and PF-
China. The monitoring results show that when the water 16), the pore water pressure will be smaller than in
level increases, the settlement in dam will also increase. upstream of the dam (core zone in PC-7 and PC-8). In
Additionally, there is also a study that studied the effect addition, it can be concluded that when the water level
of fluctuations in water level in the dam deformation in increases, the pore water pressure will also increases.
laboratory model which is giving relevant conclusion Increasing water level can cause an increase pore water
[6].

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MATEC Web of Conferences 101, 05007 (2017) DOI: 10.1051/ matecconf/201710105007
SICEST 2016

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4 Conclusion
Lingkungan dan Stabilitas Lereng Bendungan
Based on the existing problem in this study is about the Sermo Tahun 2005. (Laporan Studi Teknik,
influence of pore water pressure on the seepage and Yogyakarta, 2005)
stability with a case study on Sermo Dam, could be 11. Departemen Pekerjaan Umum. Laporan Kajian
concluded as follows: Pelaksanaan Pembangunan Waduk Sermo D.I.
Yogyakarta (Direktorat Jenderal Pengairan, Unit
1. Analysis of the PLAXIS modeling shows that water
Keamanan Bendungan, Yogyakarta, 1996)
levels affect the increase of pore water pressure. The
12. Departemen Pekerjaan Umum. Pekerjaan Desain
higher the water level, the higher the pore water
Detail Proyek Bendungan Sermo. (Direktorat
pressure. With the increase in pore water pressure,
Jenderal Pengairan, Direktorat Irigasi II, Proyek
the discharge of seepage that occurs will also
Irigasi Kali Progo, Yogyakjarta, 1985)
increase.
13. Departemen Pekerjaan Umum. Laporan Ringkas
2. Increasing the pore water pressure due to change of
Waduk Sermo. (Direktorat Jenderal Pengairan,
water level height led to increased discharge of
Proyek Pembangunan Waduk Sermo, 1994)
seepage and settlement. This is due to water seepage
14. B. G. Look. Handbook of Geotechnical
causes the materials become saturated and the value
Investigation and Design Tables. (Taylor & Francis
of materials will changed and the stress will reduced.
Group, London, 2007)
Reduction of stress will impact on the instability of
15. C. Kutzner. Earth and Rockfill Dams, Principles of
dam structure.
Design and Construction. (A.A. Balkema,
This research supported by Work Unit of The Central River
Rotterdam, Brookfield, 1997)
Region (BBWS) Serayu Opak for helping to collect data
Sermo Dam.

*
Corresponding author: [email protected]