Worst-Case Spatial Correlation Length for Exit Gradients in Spatially Random Soil during Steady Seepage
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 150, Issue 6
Abstract
Soil properties can vary significantly within a given site, making geotechnical analysis highly amenable to a probabilistic treatment in which properties are described statistically. The random finite-element method (RFEM) is the only method available to properly account for spatial variability of soil properties and has been applied to numerous geotechnical applications. Of all the commonly encountered soil properties, permeability is generally considered to be one of the most variable. The current paper revisits steady seepage beneath a sheet pile wall of varying length in spatially random soil of finite depth, with a focus on the exit gradient. The spatial correlation length of permeability is shown to have a striking influence on the statistics of the exit gradient, with a pronounced worst-case spatial correlation length corresponding to the highest probability of downstream piping and erosion.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
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Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 150 • Issue 6 • June 2024
Copyright
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jul 20, 2023
Accepted: Dec 22, 2023
Published online: Mar 26, 2024
Published in print: Jun 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Aug 26, 2024
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