International Journal of Sustainable Development and

Planning
Vol. 18, No. 9, September, 2023, pp. 2643-2653
Journal homepage: http://iieta.org/journals/ijsdp

Effect Location of Vertical Drain on Seepage and Stability in Homogenous Earth Dams
Rekia Amieur1,2, Abdelkader Djehiche1 , Chaima Lalia Boumaàza1, Mustafa Gafsi1, Djemoui Lalmi3*
1
Research Laboratory of Water Resources Soil and Environment (RLWRSE), University of Amar Telidji, Laghouat 03000,
Algeria
2
Facultédes Science et Technologie, Département Hydraulique et Génie Civil, Université
de Ghardaia, Ghardaia 47000,
Algeria
3
Laboratory of Materials, Energy Systems Technology and Environment, Facultédes Science et Technologie, Département
D'automatique et Électromécanique, Université
de Ghardaia, Mestel 47000, Algeria

Corresponding Author Email: [email protected]

https://doi.org/10.18280/ijsdp.180903 ABSTRACT

Received: 4 May 2023 Embankment seepage occurs when water infiltrates through the soil or embankment body and
Revised: 8 August 2023 flows along its path of least resistance. This can be detrimental to the stability of the
Accepted: 8 September 2023 embankment as it can lead to erosion, soil liquefaction, and ultimately, failure. The
Available online: 26 September 2023 phenomenon of water infiltration is evolving and it can jeopardize the durability or stability
of these structures and consequently the safety of the public. The research paper focuses on
studying the seepage through a homogenous earth dam constructed on an impervious
Keywords: foundation using the numerical model SEEP/W. The main objective is to investigate the
homogenous earth dams, seepage impact of the vertical drain's location on the stability and total seepage discharge across the
quantity, SEEP/W software, stability, dam's cross section. The model considers various scenarios involving different heights,
vertical drain positions, and upstream water heads for the vertical drain. The study findings suggest that the
height of the drain has a more significant influence on the overall flow rate of infiltration
compared to its position.

1. INTRODUCTION internal drains involves careful design considerations,

including the placement, spacing, and permeability of the
Controlling seepage of water through pores and cracks in drain materials. Proper planning ensures that the drains
earth and rock formations is of utmost importance in various effectively intercept seepage water and channel it towards
engineering applications, especially in the design and downstream collection points or external drainage systems [6].
construction of earth dams. Uncontrolled seepage can have The material properties of the drains are crucial for their
severe consequences, including economic losses and loss of performance. The graded sand and gravel mixture used in the
lives. Therefore, it is crucial to implement measures to manage drains should have high permeability to allow for efficient
and control seepage effectively [1]. water flow. The gradation of the materials should be carefully
The statistical study mentioned indicates that a significant selected to ensure uniformity and prevent clogging.
proportion (80%) of dam collapses can be attributed to water Additionally, the compaction of the material during
seepage through the body or foundation of the dam. This construction is important to maintain its permeability and
seepage occurs due to the differential head, which refers to the prevent settlement [7]. Pore pressures within the dam's cross-
difference in water levels between the upstream and section or in its foundation are also important to analyze. High
downstream sides of the dam [2]. pore pressures can lead to reduced shear strength of the soil,
Maintaining the phreatic surface inside the dam can be which can result in dam failure. By conducting a seepage
achieved through various means, including the analysis, the distribution of pore pressures can be estimated
implementation of an effective drainage system. This system and measures can be taken to mitigate any potential issues [8].
helps intercept and collect seepage water, reducing the water The Laplace equation, which governs water seepage, is a
pressure within the embankment and minimizing the potential second-order partial differential equation and is generally
for seepage-related problems [3]. To limit seepage and pore- difficult to solve analytically. Analytical solutions are only
water pressures and prevent the formation of a seepage face in possible for simple and special cases where the boundary
embankments, several precautions can be taken during design conditions and the geometry of the problem are well-defined
and construction [4]. and have specific mathematical properties [9]. Researchers
Kozeny's [5] studies contributed to the understanding of have indeed invoked empirical, graphical, and numerical
how the properties of the filter materials, such as permeability methods to analyze water seepage in various geotechnical
and porosity, affect the seepage flow through the dam. He applications, including earthen dams [10, 11].
developed equations and models to calculate the flow rates and The image method, combined with the developed equation
hydraulic gradients based on the characteristics of the filter and the graphical representation, allowed Abd El Razek [12]
materials and the hydraulic conditions. The installation of to study and analyze the seepage characteristics of the earth

2643
dam with a chimney filter. This approach provides insights earth dam with a chimney drain on an impervious foundation.
into the behavior of seepage flow, the effectiveness of the filter The study utilizes the SEEP/W software to analyze seepage
system, and the stability of the dam under various conditions. and the SLOPE/W software to assess slope stability.
analytical methods have their limitations due to simplifying In the present study, the focus is on a homogeneous earth
assumptions, numerical methods such as finite element, finite dam constructed on an impervious foundation. The dam has a
difference, and finite volume methods offer more flexibility total height of 28 meters. We investigate the impact of
and applicability for investigating seepage in porous different crest widths (bc)-specifically, 7m, 8m, 9m, and 10m-
environments. The choice of method depends on the specific on the dam's behavior. The head acting on the upstream side
problem and the level of complexity involved [13]. of the dam (H) is set at 25 meters, while the downstream side
Analyzing seepage control methods involves evaluating the is assumed to be dry. The study further explores the influence
effectiveness of various techniques for reducing or preventing of varying the base width of the dam (B) and the slopes on
seepage in earth dams [14, 15] using analytical methods. both the upstream and downstream sides. Regarding the
Djehiche et al. [16, 17] using Experimental modeling to study permeability of the dam material, a horizontal permeability
seepage through earth dams by using seepage tanks and value of 10-7m3/s is considered. Additionally, the ratio of
Experimental modeling using seepage tanks is another horizontal to vertical permeability (Kh/kv) is set at 1.
approach to study seepage through earth dams and Sachpazis This research aims to study the characteristics of seepage
[18] and Salem et al. [19] used a combination of analytical through homogeneous isotropic earth dams rested on an
methods, numerical modeling, and experimental approaches to impervious base provided with drainage chimney systems.
study the seepage introduce several boundary conditions on With different location.
the passages to numerical simulation because numerical
models take less time than the construction of experimental
models. 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE MODEL
Femmam and Benmebarek [20] used FLAC 2D and Géo-
slope software for seepage analysis, including the evaluation In order to achieve the objectives of this study, Geostudio
of pore pressures and their impact on slope stability. Tung et software is used. The Geostudio suite consists of various
al. [21] used a combination of FLAC 2D and SEEP/W allows software products that utilize finite element code to analyze
for a comprehensive analysis of the stability and seepage the performance of dams and levees. In this study, two specific
behavior of an earth dam under rapid drawdown conditions. software products from the Geostudio suite were utilized:
The analysis of seepage through earth dams under steady-state SLOPE/W: This software is used for slope stability analysis.
conditions using a two-dimensional finite element code is a It allows engineers to assess the factor of safety of slopes under
common approach in geotechnical engineering research. This different conditions, such as steady state seepage and sudden
type of numerical analysis allows for estimating the seepage drawdown. SLOPE/W can help identify potential slope
behavior and quantifying the flow of water through the dam failures and design appropriate stabilization measures [30].
[22]. Sazzad [23] has been investigated numerically and SEEP/W: SEEP/W is used for groundwater seepage
analytically with the use of finite element technique to study analysis. It enables engineers to simulate and analyze the flow
the seepage through earth dam, The study conducted by Shakir of water through porous media, such as dams and levees.
[24] focused on a zoned earth dam and utilized a finite element SEEP/W can provide insights into seepage patterns, pore water
model to analyze the seepage quantity and the location of the pressures, and the overall behavior of the system [31].
free surface. The researchers investigated various scenarios by The finite element method can be used to solve the two-
varying the permeability, thickness, and location of the dam's dimensional seepage equations and obtain an accurate
core. representation of the water flow behavior in the given domain
El Molla [25] used the finite element numerical model, she equation can be derived as [30]:
simulated the behavior of the dam with and without the
vertical sheet pile. she analyzed various factors, such as
∫[∇(𝑘∇ℎ) − 𝑞]. 𝜑𝑑Ω = 0 (1)
seepage flow patterns, seepage quantities, and changes in pore
water pressure within the dam and by utilizing FEM, Fu and
Sheng [26] were able to model the complex flow patterns and - ∇ is the gradient operator,
changes in seepage quantity that occur during unsteady - k is the hydraulic conductivity,
conditions. - h is the hydraulic head,
The experimental results obtained from SEEP/W were then - q is the source/sink term,
compared with theoretical findings to validate their accuracy - 𝜑 is the weighting function,
and reliability. By comparing the two sets of results, Jamel - Ω is the domain of interest.
[27] were able to develop an empirical equation that could SEEP/W is a software program within the GeoStudio
estimate the quantity of seepage in the homogenous earth dam. software collection that is specifically designed to analyze the
By using finite element software SEEP/W [28]; established steady-state phase of an earth dam. It utilizes partial
steady and transient models, Numerical modeling of differential equations to calculate and simulate the flow of
SLOPE/W and SEEP/W tools of GEOSTUDIO software [29] water through the dam, allowing for the investigation of
to analyze the factor of safety of slopes under steady state leakage and water flow patterns. By solving these equations,
seepage and sudden drawdown conditions. These tools allow SEEP/W provides valuable insights into the behavior and
engineers to simulate the behavior of slopes and assess their stability of the dam under steady-state conditions. The
stability. equations to be the following:
After this literature the origin of this article is to study the
impact of variations in geometrical and geotechnical 𝜕 𝜕𝐻 𝜕 𝜕𝐻
parameters on the seepage quantity and slope stability of an (𝑘𝑥 )+ (𝑘𝑦 )=0 (2)
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦

2644
where, - K is the hydraulic conductivity of the dam material - earth dam and upstream slope stability there are a 2 analysis
H is the piezometric head (water pressure) in the dam - x and (Initial steady state-Stability). The first analysis of water
y are the Cartesian coordinates. transfers represents the equilibrium conditions within the
After investigating the steady-state phase of the earth dam embankment taking into account the presence of the reservoir
using Seep/w, the downstream slope stability of the dam can and we change a height of drain. The first analysis of water
be assessed using another software program called Slope/w, transfers represents the equilibrium conditions within the
which is also part of the GeoStudio software collection [23]. embankment taking into account the presence of the reservoir
SLOPE/W software is used to assess the stability of slopes and we change a height of drain. For this case study, 3
and analyze factors for upstream and downstream slope for boundary conditions are defined:
different scenarios. The analysis is performed in terms of the -A potential infiltration face characterized by a zero total
drain location for various load conditions. We used slip infiltration rate on the facing of the downstream slope.
surface: “Entry-exit”. -A maximum hydraulic load on the facing of the upstream
SLOPE/W utilizes Spencer's method to determine the factor slope of the reservoir simulating that the reservoir is full.
of safety for both the upstream and downstream sides of an -The lowest point of the face of the upstream slope is
earthen dam. The factor of safety is a measure of the stability subjected to zero pressure. - The calculation is done at steady
of the slope or dam and indicates how close it is to failure. state. The analysis of the stability of the slopes of this case
SEEP/W is a valuable tool for analyzing and designing transfer simulation makes it possible to determine the
solutions for groundwater flow and seepage-related problems influence of this head change in the pore pressure conditions
in a wide range of geotechnical, civil, hydrogeological, and within the embankment on the safety factor.
mining engineering projects the following tasks should be The first model, (Figure 2) as described, is a homogeneous
performed in sequence: earth dam constructed on an impervious base, The specific
1. Geometry and Meshing; parameters for this model are as follows: the width of the
2. Material Models and Properties; dam’s crest bc is 8m, the width of the dam at its base B is 134m,
3. Boundary Conditions; with a height of dam H=28m, an upstream slope n=2.5, a
4. Analysis Types; downstream slope m=2.0 and location of the vertical drain is
5. Visualization of Results. bd=56m. The results of simulation as shown in Table 1.
In GeoStudio, the View Results Information command
allows users to access all output data for nodes and Gauss Table 1. Results of infiltration flow simulation and safety
points anywhere in the model. This command provides a coefficient (variable hd and constant bd)
comprehensive view of the results obtained from the analysis
[30]. Upstream Slope N=2.5
In the present study, a homogeneous earth dam is being Hd (m) Q (m3/s) Fs
considered, which is constructed on an impervious foundation. 10 2.47E-06 1.09
The dam has a total height of 28m. The study aims to 15 2.45E-06 1.09
20 2.36E-06 1.085
investigate the effect of different crest widths (bc) on the dam's
25 2.21E-06 1.072
behavior. The considered crest widths are 7m, 8m, 9m, and
10m. The upstream side of the dam is subjected to a head (H)
of 25m, while the downstream side remains dry. It is important
to note that the base width of the dam, denoted as B, is being
changed. In addition to changing the base width, the study also
examines variations in the slopes of both the upstream and
downstream sides of the dam. The horizontal permeability of
the dam material is assumed to be 10-7m3/s. Furthermore, the
hydraulic conductivity ratio, Kx/Ky, is considered to be equal
to 1 (Figure 1).

Figure 2. The impact of varying the vertical height of the

drain on the total seepage

Figure 1. General description of the variables involved in the

Dam

K=hydraulic conductivity (m/sec); H=Height of the dam

(m); Fb=Free board (m); bd=width between vertical drain and
downstream(m); b=The width of the dam's crest (m).

3. EFFECT OF DRAIN HEIGHT ON STABILITY AND

SEEPAGE DISCHARGE
Figure 3. The impact of varying the vertical height of the
To achieve numerical simulation of seepage through the drain on the safety coefficient

2645
 Figure 4. Infiltration simulation results, hd=10m

Figure 5. Infiltration simulation results, hd=25m

Figure 6. Stability simulation results, (hd=10m)

Figure 7. Stability simulation results, (hd=25m)

The flow net is plotted the total seepage discharge through drain and the total seepage discharge can be explained by
the earth dam for height vertical drain as well their position. Darcy's theory and the principles of groundwater flow.
Figure 2 illustrates that the total seepage discharge through According to Darcy's law, the flow of water through a
the earth dam decreases with an increase in the height of the porous medium is directly proportional to the hydraulic
drain. This suggests that raising the height of the drain has a gradient. As the percolation length increases (which can be
favorable impact on seepage control and can lead to a achieved by raising the drain height), the average hydraulic
reduction in the overall seepage discharge from the dam. gradient decreases. This means that the driving force for
Because with the increase in the height there is a decrease seepage flow decreases, leading to a reduction in the total
in the hydraulic gradient, therefore a decrease in speed, seepage discharge. Additionally, as the height of the drain
depending on the Darcy's law implies a decrease the total increases, the distance between the upper end of the drain and
seepage discharge. The relationship between the height of the the phreatic line (the water table or the level at which the

2646
pressure is atmospheric) is reduced. This decrease in distance
causes the flow lines in this area to converge, creating a
convergent flow pattern. The converging flow lines add
resistance to the flow, which reduces the total seepage
discharge [8, 25]. It noticed that the safety coefficient is
dependent on the height of the drain, the safety coefficient
decreases with the increase in the height of the drain, but this
decrease is very small, corresponds to a decrease in 1.7%. As
shown in Figure 3, it can be concluded that the optimum height
for stability and leakage rate, it is convenient to take the height
of the drain (hd=0.54.H).
Figure 4 and Figure 5 show the flow net trough the dam for
different heights of vertical drain considering dry downstream
m=2.
Figure 6 and Figure 7 show the stability simulation results
for different heights of vertical drain hd= 10m et hd=25m.
Figure 8. Impact of varying the drain’s location on the total
4. EFFECT OF THE LOCATION OF THE DRAIN ON seepage
THE STABILITY AND TOTAL SEEPAGE
DISCHARGE Figure 8 demonstrates that the total seepage discharge
increases as the length of the horizontal drain increases.
The second model of earth dam which is constructed on an Because with the increase in the length there is an increase
impervious base, the dimensions of the dam are as follows: in the hydraulic gradient (i=∆h/∆l where ∆h is constant and ∆l
The width of the dam’s crest bc=8m, the width of the dam is variable), therefore increase in flow velocity, according to
at its base B is 134m, with a height H=28m, an upstream slope Darcy's law (v=Ki implies an increase in seepage flow Q=VS
n=2.5, a downstream slope m=2.0 and the height of the vertical see figures below.
drain hd=10m. The following Table 2 represents the numerical The Fgures 9-13 show the effect of vertical drain’s location
results of the total leakage discharge and the safety coefficient bd on the safety coefficient and the saturation line and the
for the different bases. sliding surface depending the relative length of the
Figure 8 shows the relationship between the total seepage horizontal drain are respectively.
discharge (Q) and the location of the chimney drain within the These results reveal that for the case of the dam with the
dam. The chimney drain plays a crucial role in allowing excess mechanical characteristics c'=20KN/m2 and ϕ'=18°retained
water to drain out of the dam and helps in maintaining its for the present numerical experiment, the safety coefficient of
stability and integrity. By analyzing the seepage discharge at the slope Fs is of the order of 1.002. Although the dam is
different positions of the chimney drain, we can assess the mechanically stable (Fs>1) compared with circular sliding, it
effectiveness of the drainage system and make necessary is evident that increasing the length of the drain improves the
adjustments to ensure the dam's safety. safety factor compared to circular sliding. The safety factor is
a measure of the stability of the dam, and a higher safety factor
Table 2. Results simulation of the total leakage discharge indicates a more stable condition. As the length of the drain
and the safety coefficient for (variable b d and constant hd) increases, it enhances the drainage capacity, allowing for
better dissipation of pore water pressures. This helps to reduce
Upstream Slope n=2.5
Bd(m) Q(m3/s) Fs
the risk of excess pore water pressures building up, which can
26 9.18 E-07 1.002 lead to decreased stability and potential sliding; from this
36 1.24 E-06 1.056 parametric study, it is practical to take a length of the drain b d
46 1.69 E-06 1.09 𝐵 𝐵
include between (3.6 < 𝑏𝑑 < 2.6).
56 2.33 E-06 1.09

Figure 9. Flow net simulation result, bd=26m

Figure 10. Flow net simulation result, bd=56m

2647
 Figure 11. Location of the critical slip surface in dam with bd=26m

Figure12. Location of the critical slip surface in dam with bd=56m

Figure 13. Effect of drain’s location on safety coefficient

5. EFFECT OF THE WIDTH CREST ON STABILITY change the height of vertical drain; Table below show result of
AND SEEPAGE RATE simulation (Table 3).
The Figures 14-23 below present the result simulation of
In the first we take four width crests (7, 8, 9, 10 m) and seepage rate with crest width and drain’s heigh.

Table 3. Results of infiltration flow simulation and safety coefficient at different width of the crest of the earth dam for (variable
hd and constant bd)

n=2. 5 bd=56m
bc 7m 8m 9m 10m
hd Q(m3/s) Fs Q(m3/s) Fs Q(m3/s) Fs Q(m3/s) Fs
10 2.4 E-06 1.095 2.33 E-06 1.09 2.27 E-06 1.086 2.21 E-06 1.084
15 2.39 E-06 1.095 2.32 E-06 1.09 2.26 E-06 1.086 2.19 E-06 1.084
20 2.32 E-06 1.092 2.25 E-06 1.085 2.18 E-06 1.085 2.11 E-06 1.082
25 2.14 E-06 1.073 2.08 E-06 1.072 2.03 E-06 1.072 1.95 E-06 1.068

Figure 14. Flow net simulation results, hd=10m; bd=56m

2648
 Figure 15. Flow net simulation results, hd=25m; bd=56m

When the width of the crest increases, it leads to an increase

in the flow length along the dam. As a result, the seepage flow
has to pass through a longer path, which results in a higher
pressure drop. The pressure drop is directly related to the
seepage rate. Higher pressure drop means that there is a greater
resistance to flow, and consequently, the seepage rate
decreases.
In the second time we fixed the height of drain and change
location of drain with same condition.

Figure 17. Impact of the width crests on the total seepage

rate (n=2.5)

Figure 16. Effect the height’s drain and the width crests on Figure 18. Variation of safety factor of the earth dam at
the total seepage discharge (n=2.5 & bd=56m) different width of the crest and the drain’s height

Figure 19. Flow net simulation results, hd=10m; bd=26m; bc=7m

Figure 20. Flow net simulation results, hd=10m; bd=56m; bc=7m

2649
 Figure 21. Stability simulation results, hd=10m; bd=26m; bc=7m

Figure 22. Stability simulation results, hd=10m; bd=56m; bc=7m

When the location of drain is in the middle of the dam, the

total seepage flow through the dam increased, and we also
notice when the width of the crest increases the infiltration rate
is reduced, it can have a different effect on the infiltration rate.
With a wider crest, there is an increase in the flow length along
the dam cross section, which can result in a higher pressure
drop and reduced infiltration rate.
The impact the drain’s location on the factor of safety in of
the dam is shown in Figure 24. The value of the safety factor
increases slightly when the drain is moved towards the center
of the dam and decreases when the crest width is increased.

Figure 23. Impact of width crest and drain’s location on 6. EFFECT OF THE DOWNSTREAM SLOPE ON THE
seepage rate (hd=10) SAFETY FACTOR AND THE SEEPAGE RATE

Another model is shown in Figure 25, Figure 26, it is a dam

with same carcteristice but with different dimension, the width
of the dam’s crest bc=8m, the width of the base B variable
according to the downstream slope m, with a height H=28m, a
slope upstream n=3.0, with a variable downstream slope (1.5,
2.0, 2.5 and 3.0) and the height of the vertical drain h d=25m.
Table 4 presents the result simulation of seepage rate and the
safety factor for different downstream (n= 3,2.5,2,1.5).

Table 4. The difference in seepage flow and the safety factor

at different downstream slope of the earth dam

bc=8m hd=25m bd=56m n=3

The base B Slope down Stream Q(m3/s) Fs
176 3 2.07 E-06 1.613
Figure 24. Variation of safety factor of the earth dam at
162 2.5 2.06 E-06 1.344
different width of the crest and the drain’s location h d=10 148 2 2.05 E-06 1.093
134 1.5 2.03 E-06 0.899

Figure 25. Infiltration simulation results, hd=25m; bc=8m, m=3.0

2650
 Figure 26. Stability simulation results, hd=25m; bc=8m, m=3.0

The Figures 27, 28 below shows the seepage rate Q through

the homogeneous dam as a function of the downstream slope.

(a)

Figure 27. Effect of slope downstream on seepage rate

(b)

Figure 29. (a) Effect the drain position on the safety

coefficient; (b) [10]

By comparing between the Figure 29 (a) and (b), we notice

that the results are almost identical following the same gaits,
that increasing the length of the drainage (vertical drain) leads
to an increase in the stability of the dam. This is because a
Figure 28. Effect of slope downstream on safety factor longer drain provides a larger area for water to flow out,
reducing the water pressure within the dam and improving its
It noticed that the seepage rate Q and the downstream slope stability. Numerical experimentation shows that the safety
safety coefficient Fs increase with the increase in the coefficient at a certain distance becomes independent of the
downstream slope. The location of the vertical drain slightly position of the chimney.
influences the value of the seepage discharge and the safety
factor through the cross section of the dam. These results show
the importance of the downstream slope on the stability in the 8. CONCLUSION
earth dams.
We noticed that increasing both the upstream and
downstream slopes of a homogenous earth dam leads to an
7. EFFECT OF THE DRAIN POSITION ON THE increase in the seepage quantity or flow. However, the
SAFETY COEFFICIENT influence of varying the downstream slope has a greater
impact on the seepage flow compared to the upstream slope.
The last model that we present here is a homogeneous earth This implies that changes in the downstream slope have a more
dam with impervious base, the width of the dam’s crest b c is significant effect on altering the seepage characteristics of the
8m, the width of the dam’s base B variable according to the dam. Additionally, the seepage quantity increases with
downstream slope m, with a height H=28m, an upstream slope increasing the height of upstream water depth and the length
n=3.0, a variable downstream slope (1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0) and of the horizontal drain (L).
the height of the vertical drain hd=25m, with bd (variable). The safety coefficient is dependent on the height of the drain,

2651
the safety coefficient decreases with the increase in the height Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University, XXVI.
of the drain, but this decrease is very small, corresponds to a [13] Fakhari, A., Ghanbari, A. (2013). A simple method for
decrease in 1.7%. the vertical drain location has a minor calculating the seepage from earth dams with clay core.
influence on the value of the seepage flow rate and the Journal of GeoEngineering, 8(1): 27-32.
maximum velocity through the cross section of the dam. The http://dx.doi.org/10.6310/jog.2013.8(1).4
seepage rate decreases slightly as the drain is moved [14] Rezk, M.A.E.R.M., Senoon, A.E.A.A.A. (2011).
downstream. It was concluded that the optimum height for the Analytical solution of seepage through earth dam with an
stability and the leakage rate, it is convenient to take the height internal core. Alexandria Engineering Journal, 50(1):
of the drain (hd=0.54H), and to take the drain’s length bd 111-115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aej.2010.10.001
𝑏𝑑
between ( < 𝑏𝑑 < ).
𝑏𝑑 [15] Rezk, M.A.E.R.M., Senoon, A.A.A. (2012). Analytical
3.6 2.9
solution of earth dam with upstream blanket. Alexandria
We presented the results of numerical experimentation for
Engineering Journal, 51(1): 45-51.
a fixed upstream slope dam for different crest widths and
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aej.2012.01.004
different vertical drain positions, it was concluded that the
[16] Djehiche, A., Amieur, R., Gafsi, M. (2014). The seepage
water heigh is generated the drainage flow, the slope
throughthe earth dams with a vertical drain: An
downstream, the size of the drain and the width of the crest.
experimental study. Journal of Environmental Research
And to have a stable dam, you have to take the downstream
and Development, 8(3): 471.
slope (m≥2).
[17] Djehiche, A., Amieur, R., Gafsi, M. (2012). Seepage
At the end we recommended it is necessary to choose the
through earth dams with chimney drain on pervious
length, the position of the drain and the optimal downstream
foundation. Advanced Materials Research, 452:
slope to have an economical dam, and at the same time
538-542.
increase their stability and limit the leakage rate.
https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/
AMR.452-453.538
[18] Sachpazis, C.I. (2014). Experimental conceptualisation
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 field in core-dam. School of Civil Engineering and Bd Width between vertical drain and downstream (m)
Architecture, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, c’ Cohesion
China, 610500: 492-499. I The gradient of total hydraulic head
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Engineering and Technology Journal, 34(3): 430-440. T Time
https://doi.org/10.30684/etj.34.3A.1 V The Darcian velocity
𝜑 The weighting function
Ω The domain of interest
NOMENCLATURE ϕ' Friction angle
∇ The gradient operator
A A designation for summation over the area of an element
B Crest width of the dam (m)

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