Evaluation of the Parameters Influencing Self-Healing in Earth Dams
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Volume 132, Issue 7
Abstract
This paper describes the experimental methods developed to understand the self-healing or progressive erosion of core cracks in earth dams. Concentrated leaks through two types of core cracks are simulated experimentally in flow cells of different configurations. Results of experimental investigations indicate that the current empirical filter criterion for base soils with fines content more than 85%, which stipulates that should be less than 9, is conservative. However, analysis of experimental results suggests that the ratios can not indicate the rate of self-healing or progressive erosion. It also leads to a conclusion that mechanistic understanding, rather than another improved empirical criterion, may be needed for quantitative prediction of self-healing or progressive erosion. In this study, we identified two groups of quantitative parameters influencing the mechanism of self-healing: (1) characteristics of base soils and filters, and (2) hydraulic, geometric, and physicochemical conditions. Experimental methods are presented to evaluate these parameters for which no standardized methods are reported in the current literature.
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Acknowledgments
The work reported in this paper was funded partly by the Agricultural Experiment Station at Kansas State University (Contribution No. 04-275-J), and partly by the Department of Civil Engineering at Kansas State University. Financial support from these agencies is gratefully acknowledged. The first writer is also thankful to Central Soil & Materials Research Station, New Delhi (Government of India) for granting him leave to pursue research.
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© 2006 ASCE.
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Received: Mar 16, 2004
Accepted: Jan 4, 2006
Published online: Jul 1, 2006
Published in print: Jul 2006
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