Seepage Analysis for Shurijeh Reservoir Dam Using Finite Element Method

One of the important points in the study stages and during construction of earth dams is seepage through the foundation and dam body. So the calculation of seepage amount from the foundation and dam body and evaluation of control or decrease methods for this problem is essential. Seepage analysis is based on a residual flow scheme involving saturated and unsaturated zones in which the hydraulic properties remain invariant during transient flow. With available software, the solution of any seepage problem is reduced to a simple routine requiring negligible engineering time. Seepage control is necessary to prevent excessive uplift pressures, sloughing of the downstream slope, piping through the embankment and foundation, and erosion of material by loss into open joints in the foundation and abutments. The under-construction Shurijeh dam project is located about 125 km southeast of Mashhad, Iran on the Kashafrud River. A two dimensional seepage analysis was conducted using computer software, Seep/W to determine seepage quantities. Results are shown for two conditions: with and without a cutoff within the dam foundation.