I PERFORMANCE EVALUATION of SELECTIVE CONTROL MEASURES of FOUNDATION SEEPAGE for EMBANKMENT DAMS OVER PERMEABLE STRATA
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PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF SELECTIVE CONTROL MEASURES OF FOUNDATION SEEPAGE FOR EMBANKMENT DAMS OVER PERMEABLE STRATA Submitted by ZAHEER MUHAMMAD MALIK (2005-Ph.D-CEWRE-02) FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN WATER RESOURCES ENGINEERING CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN WATER RESOURCES ENGINEERING University of Engineering and Technology LAHORE, PAKISTAN (2012) i PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF SELECTIVE CONTROL MEASURES OF FOUNDATION SEEPAGE FOR EMBANKMENT DAMS OVER PERMEABLE STRATA By: Zaheer Muhammad Malik (2005-Ph.D-CEWRE-02) A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN WATER RESOURCES ENGINEERING Thesis Examination Date: _________________________ _________________________ Prof. Dr. Ata-ur-Rehman Tariq Dr. Tahir Masood, Research Advisor and External Examiner / Project Engineer Internal Examiner Berkeley Associates Consulting Engineers, Lahore _______________________ DIRECTOR Thesis submitted on: CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN WATER RESOURCES ENGINEERING University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan 2012 ii This thesis was evaluated by the following Examiners: External Examiners: From Abroad: 1) Dr. Krishna R. Reddy, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Director, Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering Laboratory, University of Illinois at Chicago 842 West Taylor Street, Chicago, Illinois, USA. E-mail: [email protected], 2) Dr. Deanna S. Durnford, Professor Emeritus, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA. E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] From Pakistan: Dr. Tahir Masood, Project Engineer, Berkeley Associates Consulting Engineers, Lahore. E-mail: [email protected] Internal Examiner: Prof. Dr. Ata-ur-Rehman Tariq, Professor, Center of Excellence in Water Resources Engineering, University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore. E-Mail: [email protected] iii I dedicate this work to my parents Their prayers, love and encouragement enabled me to do it all iv ABSTRACT This research has addressed typical geological complexities through performance evaluation of selective foundation seepage control features for embankment dams on deep permeable strata. The study is based on an intricate case history of Satpara Dam Project founded over moraines. Seepage control measures for Satpara dam foundations included upstream extension of the dam core as an impervious blanket with a partial cutoff at its upstream end. Seepage modelling was carried for ‘as-designed’ seepage mitigation measures under 2-D sectional flow model assumptions for different case scenarios using SEEP/W. In-situ permeability test results from pre-construction exploratory investigations of the project, ranging over several logarithmic orders of magnitude, were scrutinised for identification of a representative dataset for assignment of K- values while characterising spatial variability. Relative seepage sensitivity analyses were made using ‘percentile’ values from the two-layered ‘pervious zone in homogeneous’ foundation representation approach and computed values from the multi-zoned ‘ROCKWORKS modelled’ multi-zoned foundation representation approach. Comparative inferences considered theoretically acceptable limits in averting piping initiation for the adopted seepage control measures. The refinement in K-assumptions from the layered to the multi-zoned approach influenced and enhanced scale of magnitudes and rate of change of computed gradients and hydraulic heads along their distributions and trends at different points of consideration along the flow direction. The adopted seepage control scheme reduced the computed hydraulic gradients to 73.5% and the head potential to 72% at toe of core relative to no seepage control measures. v Available project data from five years of consecutive operation (for five impoundings during 2007-2011) showed that conservation level and consequently a steady state condition was not achieved. Effectiveness of the adopted seepage control measures at Satpara Dam was evaluated through comparative response of instruments installed across the cutoff wall, for upstream and downstream observations at two different depth zones, and along the flow path in the foundations upstream and downstream of the main dam axis. Piezometeric data from 27 selected responsive foundation piezometers covering the project area was used to develop percent potential contour plot plans, corresponding to selected pseudo-steady state reservoir levels and for a reservoir level common to the last three impounding stages. Evaluation of head differentials and percent potential distributions also provided evidence of cross flow influences, indicating 3-D flow in the dam foundation domain. Pseudo-steady state reservoir levels defined new loading conditions, which were used to extend the 2-D ‘as designed’ SEEP/W model and additionally simulate a 3-D seepage model using FEFLOW. Simulated results based on the multi-zoned pre- construction foundation representation could not replicate the observed ‘pseudo- steady’ foundation response. It was assessed that applied heads had likely caused redistribution of unsupported fines, at probable locations associated with higher potential drops and concentrated potential contours. The cutoff wall proximity and foundations underlying the drainage blanket were accordingly identified to induce higher gradients susceptible for subsequently dislodging fines. An inverse 2-D modelling approach was implied to correspondingly re-adjust K-values in the sectional multi-zoned pre-construction foundation representation. This helped improve related subsurface perceptions of post-construction foundation behaviour. vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I feel privileged to thank my research advisor, Professor Dr. Ata-ur-Rehman Tariq, for his guidance and mentorship with this dissertation and during my doctoral studies. I would also like to thank Prof. Dr. Muhammad Latif, Director Centre of Excellence in Water Resources Engineering (CEWRE), University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Lahore, on providing excellent research facilities. I specially acknowledge the DHI-WASY team for efficient technical support and providing me the opportunity to use their 3-D software package FEFLOW for this research. I would like to thank Dr. Muhammad Tausif Bhatti (CEWRE) particularly for his help in officially acquiring FEFLOW under critical time constraints, and all other faculty members and staff of CEWRE for their continued help and cooperation. My professional association with Satpara Dam Consultants (SDC), and the lead firm Pakistan Engineering Services (Pvt.) Ltd. (PES) provided the main progress and data source for this project. The patronage and bearing of Mr. Jamil Anwer, Chief Executive PES and Mr. Sohail Anwer, Director PES, throughout this work and for allowing me to use the facilities of the company for data collection and frequent site visits is highly acknowledged. I am also indebted to the organization and all my fellow colleagues and staff members both at the head office in Lahore and at the field office in Skardu, for dependable support in a number of ways. vii This thesis would not have been possible without the explicit permission from Brig. (R) Muhammad Zareen, Authority Advisor Projects (Northern Area), on behalf of Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), Pakistan, to use the project data and information for this research. My profound gratitude goes to my parents for their prayers, belief, encouragement and motivation throughout this time. I appreciate my wife for her understanding and support throughout this endeavour. In the end, I must thank Rehan, my little son who had to bear with my mood shifts while studying and writing during evenings and weekends. Zaheer M. Malik. viii TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter Description Page No. ABSTRACT .................................................................................................v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...................................................................... vii TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................... ix LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................... xiv LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................. xvi LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................ xxiii 1. INTRODUCTION......................................................................................1 1.1 GENERAL ...................................................................................................1 1.2 CURRENT TRENDS IN PAKISTAN ........................................................3 1.3 PROBLEM STATEMENT ..........................................................................5 1.4 STUDY OBJECTIVES ................................................................................8 1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY ............................................................................8 2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE .................................................................10 2.1 GENERAL .................................................................................................10 2.2 THEORETICAL CONCEPTS ..................................................................10 2.2.1 Risk Analysis .............................................................................................10 2.2.2 Remediation of Seepage Problems ............................................................11