Relative Performance Evaluation of Asphaltic Concrete Core Embankment Dam and Clay Core Embankment Dam: By Plaxis Software Application

This paper investigates asphaltic concrete core embankment dam in relative to the clay core embankment dam so that it is vital from the perspective of safety and controlling seepage. Plaxis 8.5, finite element based software was employed for analysis of the dam and Geostudio 2012 for seepage analysis. Relatively the result of analysis shows that good result of safety factor has been found in asphalt concrete core dam with regard to the stability of the dam during steady-state condition and end of construction. During steady-state condition, the factor of safety computed for clay core dam was 1.466, and the dam fails to attain the minimum factor of safety recommended by USACE. But, under this similar condition stability analysis result of asphalt concrete core dam gave a good result of 1.661 which is found within the recommended range. Likewise, at the end of construction, the factor of safety computed for clay core dam was 1.553, but, under this loading condition (end of construction) stability analysis result of asphalt concrete core dam gave a good result of 1.600 which keeps the dam more stable. The seepage analysis result of asphaltic concrete core dam is also insignificant. Generally, application of asphalt concrete core in rock fill dam can fulfill the basic requirement and minimum factor of safety under all loading condition, and dam of such types is seepage free as it shown here and approved by many other researchers’ extensive works.