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WRE - II 10 Aug 2024

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SEEPAGE

Seepage is the slow escape of aliquld or gas through porous


material or small holes
Gravity dam
Hemogeaeeus dem free woter surtece
wet er surlce

unsteole zone

Seepage is one of the applications of ground water hydraulic. T1:


aims ofstudying seepage in civil engineering are:
1- To find the discharge of seepage through and beneath the
structure

2- To find up lift pressure under the structure


3- To find solution for foundation and piping failures
THEORY OF SEEPAGE FLOW

The steady seepage flow through an isotropic and homogeneous soil mass can be
represented by the laplacian cquation,
Weir
=0 Piezometer
tubes
Here, = low potential =Kh, H
where, K= coefficient of permeability.
h= seepage head at any point in the Suream
soil.
Lnes
The above equation represents two
sets of curve which intersect cach other
orthogonally. One set of curves is
known as equipotential lines and the Impervious layer
other set of curves is known as stream
lines. ig. 11.1 Flow lines
Comment Vew Form Protect Share Connect Help Extras
lines.
Sireamiines The path along which the sub-surface water flows through the
soil indicales the streamline. Every water particle traces out ils own streamline
while moving from upstream to downstream below the foundation of the hydrau
lic structue. The first streamline just follows the bottom surface of foundation of
the structure. The other streamlines trace out semi-elliptical path (Fig. 11.1).
Equipolenlial ines Every streamline possesses a certain head H (ie. the
depth of watr on upstream side). when it just eniers the soil. This hcad goes on
decreasing as it travels towards the downstream and ulümately it becomes zero.
By piczomeier tubes, it may be found that at some intermediate poini in
streaml1ine, there could be certain residual head 'h' which gets diss1pet
remain1ng length of its path. Thus, on different srcamlines there m.y
of cqual residual head 'h. II these points are joined, then a curveis
which is known as equipotential line (Fig. I1.1).
HYDRAUUC GRADENT OREaT GRADIENT
Ie AA. RR. CC. renresent the seenase flow. When the seenage water flows
e1 1! 21
HYDRAUUc GRADIENT oREXIT GRADIENT
Let AA, BB, CC, represent the seepage flow. When the seepage water flows
through the soil it exerts some force which is known as scepage force. The force
acts in the direction of flow.
Let us consider an element of cross-secional area as A and its length as d!.
The intensity of hydrostatic pressure on upstream face is assumed as pand that
on the downstream face as(p+dp) (Fig. I1.2). Seepage force in the irection of
flow =p dAand seepage forceagainst the flow =(p +dp) dA.
Net scepage force =pdA -(p +dp) dA =- dp-dA
The volume of element =dA-d/
-dpdA
Forceper unit volume dA-d! -
The force-cts tangentially to the streamline. Here, -ve sign indicates
that the pressure decreases in the direcion of fow. This force is vertical at the
dh
exit end and it is proportional to
dl
dh -Weir
This expresionis d!
known as the
hydraulic gradient or exit gradient. The
soil atthe exit end willremain stable if
the downward weight of the submerged
soilisgreater than the upward seepage
force. When the two forces just bal
ance each other, hen it is known as
criticalhydraulic gradient or critical
exit sradient. The critical conditin .Seepage påA
fRovw
41 12 21
HOte Share Conned Help Extras

Rg. I12 Ext grodient


Submerged wt. per unit volume of soil mass, a, = p(l -n) (G- 1)
where, a, =Submerged wt. per unit vol, aw=sp.wt. of water, n =porosity of soil.
G=sp. gr. of soil.
For criticalcondition, the upward force-should be cqual to , ie.
dp
-9 w(l-n) (G- I)or - dlxw = (l-n) (G- 1)
dh
or
dl =(l -n) (G-1), we know, dp =wdh dh =2W

Here, represents the hydraulic gradient at the exit end. When th1s grnd.
d!
ent iscqual to the value given by (l-n) (G- ), then the gradient will be termed
s critical hydraulic gradient or criticalexit gradient. For safety. the actual exit
gradient should be within 1/4 and 1/6.
e1 :2 21 OA 0 162.67%
Bligh's Creep Theory for Seepage Flow
According to Bligh's Theory, the percolating water follows the outline of the base
of the foundation of the hydraulic structure. In other words, water creeps along the
bottom contour of the structure. The length of the path thus traversed by water is called
the length of the creep. Further, it is assumed in this theory, that the loss of head is
proportional to the length of the creep. If H, isthe total head loss botween the upstream
and the downstream, and L is the length of creep, then the loss of head per unit of creep
length (e. H/L) is called the H.G. Line ¬
hydraulic gradient. Further, Bligh
makes no distinction between 24 7
horizontal and vertical creep. Bottom - - .
of floor
Consider a section as shown in
Fig. 11.1. Let H, be the difference
of water levels between upstreamn dd
and downstream ends. (No water
is shown on d/s side in Fig. 11.1). - L
Water will seep along the bottom
00 162.67%
Commnent View Form Proted Share Conned Heip Eras

contour as shown by arrows. It


starts percolating at Aand emerges Fig. 11.1. Bligh's Creep.
at B. The total length of creep is
given by
L=d+d+L+d,+ dh+L+ dy +d
=2d, +(L+L)+2d, +2d,
=(L +L+2 [d, + d, +djl
=b+2(d, +da+ dy)
Head los per unit length or hydraulic gradient

b+2.(di +dh+ d)
Head losses equal to ; willoccur respectivct, in
the planes of three vertical cut offs. The hydraulic gradient line (H.G.
drawn as shown in Fig. 11.1. Line) can then be
() Safety Against Piping or Undermining. According to Bligh, the
safety against
piping can be ensured by providing sufficient creeD length. oiven hu I.=rH. wkara O D } 162.67%
() Safety Against Piping or Undermining. According to Bligh, the safety
piping can be ensured by providing sufficient creep length, given by L= CH,against
Cis Bligh'scoefficient for the soil. Different values of C for where
tabulated in Table l1.1. different types of soils are
(i) Safety against uplift pressure. The ordinätes of the H.G. line above the bottom
of the floor represent the residual uplift water head at cach
point. Say for example, ir ar
any point, the ordinate of HG. line above the bottom of the loor is 1m, then l mhead
of water will act as uplift at that point. If hmetres is this ordinate, then wzier pressure
equal to Hmetres will act at this point, and has to be counterbalanced by the weight of
the floor of thickness say t.
.. Uplift pressure =Y, h
where y., isthe unit wt. of water
Downward pressure =(Y G)
where G is the specific gravity of the floor
material.
For equilibrium
h=.G.t
R=Gt
Subtracting ton both sides, we get
(-)=(GI- )=t(G-1)
...(i1.1)

where (h-) =his the ordinate of the H.G. line above the top of the floor. (G- 1) is the
submerged specific gavity of the floor material. For concrete, Gmay be taken equal to
4 14 / 2! O O Z 162.67%
where (h -)=histhe ordinate of he H.G. line above the top of the floot. (G-1) is the
submerged specific gavity of the floor material. For concrete,Gmay be taken equal to
2.4. Hence, the thickness of the floor can be casily determined by using the equation
(11.1).This is generally increased by 33%, s0 as to allow a suitable factor of safety.
It may be mentioned that the floor thickness has to be designed according to
equation (11.1) only for the downstream floor and for the werst conditions Le. when
Maximum ordinates of H.G. line. 0ccur. The.water.standing onthe upstream floor, more
than counterbalances the uplift caused by the same water, and hence, only a nominal
floorthickness is required on the upstream side,s0 as to resist wear, impact of flowing
water, etc.
Hence, while designing aprons of bydraulic structures on Bligh's theory for :uh
surface flow, the floor thickness, is designed in accordance with the above rules, 1
sufficient length of pucca floor given by L= CH, is provided, so as to ensure a
value of bydraulic gradient.
Table 11.1. Values of Bligh's Safe Hydraulic Gradient for diferent types of Soils

SNo. Safe Hydraulic


Type of so! Value of C gradient should be
less than
(1 1421 162.67%
WRE-I Secton A.pdf -Foxt Reader
Comment Vew Form Proted Share Connedt Help Etras
Surmcicnt iengn of pucca tloor given by L=CH, is provided, so as to ensure a Sale
value. of hydraulic gradient.
Table 11.1. Values of Bligh's Safe Hydranle Gradient for
diferent types of Solls
SNo.
Type of soid Safe Hydraulic
Value of C gradient should be
less than
1. Fine micaceous sand (as in North Indian Rivers)
15
2.
Coarse grained sand (as in Central and South Indian Rivers) 12 /12
3. Sand mixed with boalder and grävel, ánd lor loarn soil S to 9 1/5 to 1/9
4 ight sand and mud 1/8

Note : The hydraulic gradient, Le. H/L is then equal to 1/C. Hence, it n.
stated that the hydraulicgradient must be kept under asafe limit in order toensurc si
against piping.
Limitations of Bligh's Theory
1. Bligh made no distinction between horizontal and vertical creep.
2. Bligh's method holds good so long as the horizontal distance between
the pile
lines is greater than twice their depth.
did not explain the idea of exit gradient. The safety against undermining
3. Bligh gradient but by keeping this
cannot simply be obtained by considering a lat average
gradient well below critical.
and inner faces of sheet piles or
4. Bligh makes no distinction between outerinvestigations, the outer faces of the
to
the intermediate sheet pile, vhereas accordinginner
much more effective than ones. Also, intermediate sheet piles
end sheet piles are ineffective except for local redistrib. tin
outer ones are
of shorter length than the
pressure.
the same proportion as cruep
5. Loss of head does not take place inlinear but follows a sne curve.
is Dot
Aso, the uplift pressure distribution necessity of providing a sheet pl
specify the absolute
6. Bligh does not essential to have a deep vertical cut off at d's e 4
end whereas it is absolutely
prevent undermining.
I Secon A.paf SI161.pdt (SEOURED) WRE-DSecton ADdt
3.0 to 1.6 3to U1.6
6. Clayey soils

Khosla's Theory and Concept of Flow Nets -and barages, were


-Many of the important-hydraulic-structures, -such- as weirs
l910 to 1925. In 1926-27,
designed on the basis of Bligh's theory between the period
theory, started posing undermin
the upper Chenab canal syphons, designed on Bligh'slead
ing troubles. Investigations started, which ultimately to Khosla's theory.
which
A detailed descripion of this theory is available in C.B.L publication No. 12,
is available at Publication'sDivision at CivilLines, Delhi. The mainprinciples of this
theory are summarised below:
(1) The seeping water does not creep along the bottom contour of pucca floor as
stated by Bligh, but on the other hand, this water moves along a set of stream-lines as
shown in Fig. 11.3. This steady scepage in a vertical plane for a homogencous soil can
be expressed by Laplacian equation.
+
d'
d= Flow notential= Kh where K is the coef
16/21 162 67
Secaun A.pct S1161pt (sEaRD) WRE-0Secton A.pdf

where = Flow potential = Kh where Kis the coef


ficient of permeability of soil as defined
by Darcy's law, and h is the residual head
at any point within the soil.
The above equaion represents two sets of curves intersecting cach other orthogonally
(hg. 11.2). One set of lines is called Streamlines, and the other set is called Equipotential
lines. The resultant flow diagram showing both the sets of curves is called a Flow Ne.
Stream Lines. The
streamlines represent the
paths alongwhich the water
lows through the sub-soil.
Every particle enteriog the Stream lings
sol at a gven point upstream
of the work, will traceout its
gsa path and will represcat Equipotenti
streamline. The first
streamli ne follows the bot
tora contour of the works and
Fielg
is he same as Bligh's path of ig 11.2 Khosla's Flow Net.
crecp. The remaining
creamlines follow smooth curves transiting slowly from the outine of the foundation
16121 OP 162.6
Equipotential Lines. (1) Treating the downstream bed as datum and assuming no
poSsesses a
water on the downstream side, it can be easily stated that every streamline
down-stream end
head equal to h while entering the soil; and when it emerges at the
into the atmosphere, its head is zero. Thus, the head h, is entirely lost during the passage
of water along the streamline.
Further, at every intermediate point in its path, there is certain residual head (h) still
downstream end. This-fact
to be dissipated in heremaining length to be traversed tothe on different streamlines
is applicablc toevery streamline, and hence, there will be points the curve
having the same value of residual bead h. If such points are joined togeher,
obtained is called an equipotential line. having
Every water particle online AB is having a residual head h=h, and on CD is
aresidual head h= 0, and hence, AB and CD are cquipoential lines.
Since an cquipotential line represents the joining of points of cqual residual bead,
in all of
bence if piezometers were installed on an equipotential line, the water will rise
Lhem up to the same level as shown in Fig. 11.2.
The seepage water exerts a force at each point in the direction of flow and
(2) upward
tangential to the streamlines as shown in Fig. 11.3. This force () has an
( 17 / 21
ton Apdt IS1161pdt (SEaURED) WRE-D Secton Apdf

hem up tothe same level as shown in Fig. 11.2.


The seepage water exerts a force at each point in the diection of flow and
(2) force (F) has an upward
tangential to the streamlines as shown in Fig. 11.3. This

F
Ws
STREAM
LINES

Fig. 11.3
component from the point whero the4 12streamline
i )1
turns nward Far enil ni 162.67%
component from the point where the steamline tuns upward For soil grains to remain
stable, the upward component of this force should be counterbalanced by the submerged
weight of the soil grain. This force has the maximum disturbing tendency at the cxit
end, because the direction of this force at the exit point is vertically upward, and hence
full force acts as its upward component. For the soil grain to remain stable, the sub
merged weight of soil grain should be more than this upward disturbing force. The
disturbing force at any point isproportional to he gradient of pressureof water at that
point (i.e. dp/di) This gradient of pressure of water at the exit end, is called the exit
gradient. In order that the soil particles at exit remain stable, the upward pressure at
exit should be safe. In other words, the exit gradient shold be safe.
Critical Exít Gredient. This exit gradient is said to be critical, when the
disturbingforce on the grain is just cqual to the submerged weight of the grainupward
at the
exit. When afactor of safety equal to 4 or 5 is used, the exit
as safe. In other words, an exit gradient equal to to of the gradient can then be taken
critical exit gradient is
ensured, as to keep tho structure safe against piping.
so
The submerged weight (W) of a unit volume of soil is given as :
(l-n) (S,- 1)
where Y= unit weight ofwater.
S,=sp. gravity ofsoil paricles
n=porosity of thesoil material.
For critical conditions to occur at the cxit
point,
F= W
where F is the upward disturbing force on the
grain
18/21 162
For criical conditions to occur at the exit point,
F=W
where F is the upward disturbing force on the
grain
Force F= pressure gradient atthat point =dl dh

dp

where, h= Residual head still to be dissinated,


called hydrostatic excss head.
Fig, 11.4
dh
dh
dl Y(1-n) (S,-1)
dh
or
-(l-n)(S,-1) .(11.2)

Wbere d! represents the rate of loss of head or


the gradient at the exit end.
rÜnder critical conditions, thc critical exit gradient is equal to (1-n) (S,- 1). For
critical exitgradient
st of the river sands, S,=2.65 and n=0.4, then the value of
eíl-0.4) (2.65-1)
=0.6x 1.65 =0.99 = 1.0
exit gradient equal to to of the critical gradient means that an exit
Hence, an
to be provided for keeping the structure safe against piping.
sradient equal to to has
given in Table 11.3.
Values of safe exit gradient for some of the subsoils are
Table 11.3.Values of Khosla's Safe Exit Gradient
for different types of Soils
Typeofsoil Khosla's Safe Exit Gradient
Shingle 0.25 to 0.20

Course sand 0.20 to 0.17


Fine sand 0.17to 0.14

Comparison of Bligh's Creep theory and Khosla's theory


Khosla's theory of low nets made it very clear that the loss of head does not take
Comparison of Bligh's Creep theory and Khosla's theory
Khosla's theory of flow nets made it very clear that the loss of head does not take
lace uniformly, in direct proportion to the creep length, as stated by Bligh. In fact, it
depends upon the whole geometry of the figure, i.e. the shape of foundation, depth of
mpervious boundary and levels of u/s and d/s beds. When the equipotential lines-are
roced to be closer, the rate of loss of head will definitely be quicker and vice versa.
It can, bence be concluded that the safety against piping can not be obtained by
providing sufficient floor length, as.stated by Bligh, but can be obtained by keeping the
eit gradient well below the critical value. The exit gradient may not be safe even if the
verage hydraulic gradient of Bligh safe.

(3)Undermining of the floor starts from the down stream end of the d/s pucca floor,
nd if not checked, it travels upstream towards the weir wall. The undermining starts
It is,
only when the exit gradient is unsafe for the subsoil on which the weir is founded.
therefore, absolutely necessary to have a reasonably deep vertical cut-off at the
( 19/21 O D } 162 67%
Undermining of the floor starts from the downstream end of the d/s pucca floor,
(3)
not checked, it travels upstream towards the weir wall. The undermining starts
and if
when the exit gradient is unsafe for the subsoil on which the weir is founded. It is,
oaly cut-off at the
therefore, absolutely necessary to have a reasonably deep vertical of. thís d/s
downstream end of the ds pucca floor toprevenu undermining. The depth
vertical cutoff is governed by two considerations i.e.
() maximum depth of scour ; (i) safe exit gradient.
While-designing-a weir downstream cutoff. fromn the maximum scoured depth
considerations is, first of all, provided, and checked for exit gradient. If a safe value of
cutoff
cit gradient is not obtained, then the depth of cutoff is increased. The depth of deep
S also govermed and limited by practical considerations, as the execution of very
Culoff may be difficult or unpracticable at site.
Aweir orabarrage may fail not only due to seepage (i.e. sub-surface flow) as stated
by Bligh, but may also fail due to the surface flow. The surface flow (Le. when flood
tWaler flows over the weir crest) may cause scour, dynamic action; and in addition, will
cause uplift pressures in the jump trough (if the hydraulic jump forms on the
downstream).These uplift pressures must be investigated for various flow conditione
be
The maximum uplift due tÏ this dynamic action (Le. for surface flow) should then
compared with the maximum uplift under steady seepage (i.e. for sub-surface flow) .
and the maximumn of the two chosen for designing the aprons and the floors of the weirs
All these modern aspects and other details about designing weirs on permeable founda.
ions, as per the Khosla's theory, have been discussed in article 11.6.
Khosla's theory differs from Bligh's theory in all the above respects, but owing to
the simplicity, Bligh's theory is still used for design of small works. A minimum
practical thickness for the floor and a deep vertical cutoff at the downstream end is
however, always provided, in addition to the requirements of Bligh's theory. However.
onmajor works,Bligh's theory should never be used, as it would lead to expensive and
unsafe erroneous designs.

Example: Find the hydraulic gradlent andthe head at polnt Dof


tho following structure for Static condtlon.
4 70 / 21 OA0 162.6

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