Problem 6. (12 points) The earth dam cross-section with flow net shown in below
ID: 1714782 • Letter: P
Question
Problem 6. (12 points) The earth dam cross-section with flow net shown in below figure is to be built on isotropic gravelly sand with silt and cobbles. This dam will extend a distance of 260 meters perpendicular to the cross-section. To reduce the flow rate through these soils, a concrete cutoff wall will be built as shown. Compute the total flow beneath the dam (Q in m'/s). Elevation 214 m Earth dam (assume impervious) RESERVOIR Elevation 189 m Elevation 188 m 25x 16m conerete cutofwall . Gravelly sand with siltand cobbles Elevation 154i. :: Stiff clay (assume impervious)Explanation / Answer
flow under the dam is nothing but the seppage loss rate (Q) = K*H*(Nf /Nd )*L
here
K = coefficent of permiability
H = driving head
Nf = no. of flow channels
Nd = no. of potential drops
L = length of dam
H = head loss = 214 - 189 = 25 m
Nf = 4
Nd = 20
K = 6*10-4 m/ sec
discharge (Q) = 6*10-4 *25*(4/20)*260
= 0.78 m3/sec