TECHNICAL PAPERS
May 1, 2001

Assessing Embankment Dam Filters That Do Not Satisfy Design Criteria

Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 127, Issue 5

Abstract

A method is presented for assessing the particle size distribution of the filters in a dam compared to the soil the filter is protecting, to determine whether the filters are sufficiently fine to give no, excessive, or continuing erosion. The method is based on the analysis of the results of laboratory tests and the characteristics of dams that have experienced piping incidents. The method can be used to determine whether filters that are coarser than required by modern filter design criteria will eventually seal or experience continuing erosion leading to possible failure of the dam in the event piping initiates.

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References

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 127Issue 5May 2001
Pages: 398 - 407

History

Received: May 27, 1999
Published online: May 1, 2001
Published in print: May 2001

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Authors

Affiliations

Sr. Engr., URS Corp., Level 3, 116 Miller St., North Sydney 2060, Australia.
Prof., School of Civ. and Envir. Engrg., Univ. of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia (corresponding author). E-mail: r.fell@ unsw.edu.au

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