Visualization and analysis of seepage below the dam foundation

Abstract

The analysis of water seepage below the model’s foundation of hydrotechnical object is conducted in the paper. A physical model of gravitational dam is made with the aim to visualize seepage through the ground below the dam. The model is made at the laboratory of the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture in Osijek. The aim of the paper is to analyze the influence of the hydraulic gradient on seepage domain deformation, as well as to study the effect of different engineering measures on the decrease of hydraulic gradient. Four measurements were conducted which were mutually distinguished by the shape of the dam model, i.e. the foundation sheet. The first part of the paper is based on the assessment of measurement variants, i.e. engineering solutions used for the reduction of the seepage part of the buoyancy and seepage flow. The second part of the paper is dedicated to adoption of different models in the analysis of groundwater seepage below the object. Values related to seepage flow as well as buoyancy and pressure distribution below the foundation sheet were analyzed. Graphical, numerical, and approximate methods of analysis were used