Localizing and Quantifying Leakage through CFRDs
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 142, Issue 9
Abstract
Large leakage occurred in several concrete-face rockfill dams (CFRDs) around the world recently, resulting in economic losses and safety problems. To rehabilitate these dams, it is necessary to identify leakage locations on the concrete face slabs and understand the severity of leakage at each location. This technical note presents a method for localizing and quantifying leakage through CFRDs. Analysis models are developed to estimate the leakage rate from horizontal and vertical leakage sources. The relationship between water level and leakage is described for these two leakage sources. Based on a monitored water level-leakage relation, the elevations of leakage are determined, and the leakage rate at each elevation is estimated using these models. A case study on the Buxi CFRD is presented to illustrate the method. The calculated water level-leakage relation is in good agreement with the measured one before rehabilitation, and the leakage has decreased over 80% after rehabilitation.
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Acknowledgments
This research was substantially supported by the Key Technology Research and Development Program of China during the 12th Five-Year Plan Period (No. 2013BAB06B02 and No. 2014BAB03B04) and the Major State Basic Research Development Program of China (973 Program) (No. 2013CB036404 and No. 2013CB035903).
References
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Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 142 • Issue 9 • September 2016
Copyright
© 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 9, 2015
Accepted: Jan 21, 2016
Published online: Apr 28, 2016
Published in print: Sep 1, 2016
Discussion open until: Sep 28, 2016
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