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Dewatering

Dewatering involves lowering the water table to create dry working areas and stabilize structures. Various methods include open sumps, well point systems, vacuum dewatering, deep well drainage, and electro-osmosis, each with specific advantages and limitations. The choice of method depends on soil type, depth, and site conditions.

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7 views

Dewatering

Dewatering involves lowering the water table to create dry working areas and stabilize structures. Various methods include open sumps, well point systems, vacuum dewatering, deep well drainage, and electro-osmosis, each with specific advantages and limitations. The choice of method depends on soil type, depth, and site conditions.

Uploaded by

shihamusic7
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Dewatering

Dewatering means modifying the ground by lowering the water table, redirecting seepage,
or simply reducing its water content.
PURPOSES:
 To provide dry working area such as in excavation for building foundations, dams,
tunnels etc
 To stabilize constructed or natural slopes
 To reduce lateral pressures on foundations or retaining structures
 To increase the bearing capacity of foundation
 To prevent liquefaction
 To prevent surface erosion
 To prevent or reduce damage due to frost heave.

METHODS OF DEWATERING SYSTEMS • Open sumps and ditches • Well point system • Deep
well drainage • Vacuum dewatering systems • Dewatering by electro- osmosis

Open sumps and ditches


Water is collected in sumps or ditches and then removed by pumping. • Sump is made
below the ground level of excavation at one or more corners or sides • To prevent standing
water on the floor of excavation, a ditch is cut around excavation, falling towards the sump.
• Water from slopes falls into sump by gravity and then it is pumped out from the sump.

Most cheapest and common dewatering method. This method is suitable in: • Shallow
excavation • In well-graded soil or in rock • In permeable soils on impermeable strata.

Advantages
 Economical: Low cost for installation and maintenance, suitable for most soil and
rock types.
 Handles Obstructions: Effective in areas with boulders or underground obstacles.
 Shallow Water Table Lowering: Best for small depth reductions (up to 8m below
pump level).
 Limitations: Not recommended for areas with steep slopes.

Disadvantages
 Slope Collapse Risk: Can cause slope failure, leading to hazardous situations.
 Stability Issues: In open excavations, sumps and ditches may reduce base stability.

Well Point System


 Structure: Small well screens (50–80 mm diameter, 0.3–1m length).
 Material: Made of brass or stainless steel, with closed or self-jetting ends.
 Maintenance: Must be kept operational for a long time.
Working
 Water Flow: Water enters through the screen, passes into the riser pipe, and is
pumped out.
 Installation: Well points are jetted into the ground.
 Capacity: A 50 mm riser can handle 10 liters per minute.
 Spacing (depends on soil type):
o Fine to coarse sand: 0.75–1 m
o Silty sand (low permeability): 1.5 m
o Highly permeable gravel: 0.3 m
 Usage: A common dewatering method for sites with shallow water-bearing strata.

Advantages
 Fast Installation: Quick setup process.
 Cost-Effective: Simple and inexpensive equipment.
 Filtered Water: Water carries little to no particles.
 Ground Stability: Less risk of ground subsidence compared to open sumps.
Disadvantages
 Suction Limitation: Restricted by suction lift.
 Depth Limitation: Can lower water up to 6m, beyond which air enters the system.
 Efficiency Loss: Air leakage reduces pumping efficiency.
 Unsuitable Soil: Cannot be installed in large gravel, cobbles, or boulders.

Multistage Well Point System


 Multiple Stages: Installed in two or more levels.
 Deep Dewatering: No depth limit, but requires a wide excavation at the surface.
Well Points in Braced Excavation
 Placement: Positioned near the toes of sheet piles.
 Purpose:
o Lowers water between sheet pile rows.
o Prevents soil from becoming unstable (quick condition).
o Reduces hydrostatic pressure on sheet piles.

Vacuum Dewatering System


 Best for Fine-Grained Soils: Works well in silts and fine sands with low permeability
(0.1 to 10×10⁻³ mm/s).
 System Components: Uses well points, riser pipes, and filter sand around the pipe.
 Sealed Top Layer: The hole is capped with an impervious material to prevent air
entry.
 Vacuum Pumping: Creates negative pressure, improving water flow to the well
points.
 Works in Layered Soil: Suitable for stratified soils with permeability (k) of 0.1 to
10×10⁻⁴ cm/s.
 Depth Limitation: Can lower water level by 3 to 6 meters
Deep Well Drainage
 System: Uses deep wells and pumps placed outside the construction zone.
 Function: Lowers the water table to the required depth.
 Spacing: 0.8m to 8m, depending on water table level, permeability, and depth.
 Best for:
o Pervious soil formations (like sand and gravel).
o Deep dewatering needs or artesian pressure control.
 Combination: Can be used with well point systems for efficient groundwater
lowering.

Deep Well Drainage - Installation Process


 Borehole Drilling: A cased borehole (200-300mm larger) than the well casing is
drilled.
 Well Casing: The inner well casing is inserted after borehole completion.
 Perforated Screen: Installed to allow water flow, with a 3-5m sump at the bottom
for fine material collection.
 Filter Material: Graded material is added between the well casing and borehole.
 Outer Casing Removal: Withdrawn in stages as filter material is placed.
 Backfilling: Space above the screen is filled with available material.
 Water Surge Process: Promotes water flow through the filter and removes fines.
 Pump Installation: A submersible pump is added after cleaning unwanted fines.
 Heavy Equipment Needed: Required for difficult soil conditions like boulders and
rocks.
 Cost: High compared to other methods due to specialized equipment.

Electro Osmosis
Electro Osmosis - Working Principle
 External Electrical Force: Applied across soil-water interface, causing water
movement.
 Charge Interaction:
o Soil particles have a negative charge.
o Positive ions (cations) gather near soil surfaces.
 Electromotive Force Effect:
o Cations + water molecules move toward the cathode.
o Anode repels water, pushing it toward the cathode.
 Water Removal:
o Cathode is designed as a well where water accumulates.
o Water is then pumped out to reduce moisture.
Explanation
1. Why It Works
o Fine soil particles (like clay) naturally have a negative charge.
o Positive ions (e.g., sodium, calcium) gather around these particles.
o Applying electricity forces cations + water to move toward the cathode.
2. Electrodes' Role
o Anode (+): Repels water molecules.
o Cathode (-): Attracts cations + water, collecting it in a well.
3. Practical Use
o Used when traditional dewatering (wells/pumps) is ineffective, especially in
low-permeability soils (clay, silt).
o Improves soil stability by removing excess water.

Electro Osmotic Flow Equation


 Formula: Qe=keieAQ_e = k_e i_e AQe=keieA
o kek_eke = Electro-osmotic permeability (cm/sec)
o iei_eie = Applied electric field intensity
o AAA = Cross-sectional area of flow
 Permeability & Flow Dependence:
o Hydraulic flow is affected by soil voids and grain size.
o Smaller grains (clay, silt) → Lower permeability.
o Larger grains (sand, gravel) → Higher permeability.
Electrodes Used
 Anode (Positive Electrode)
o Old metal pipes (25–50 mm dia) commonly used.
o Can be installed singly or in small groups.
o Corrosion occurs within a few weeks.
o Must be replaced when current drops below 30%.
 Cathode (Negative Electrode)
o Two types of arrangements:
1. Separate well close to cathode.
2. Cathode & well combined into one unit.

DESIGN STEPS FOR DEWATERING SYSTEMS

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