38 ‘The primary functions of puddle clay core and trench cutoff in the ‘Pennines’ dam profile can be summarized ‘* control of scepage and head loss through and under the dam; ‘© limitation of water loss. ‘The puddle core also serves to provide amore plastic zone capable of absorbing a degree of deformation without serious cracking and loss of integrity. Examined in the specific context of the core and cutoff the ‘Pennines’ dam profile can be criticised on several points: ‘* the nominal hydraulic gradients across the slender core and cutoff are relatively high, and both elements may also prove susceptible to hydraulic fracture; «© the effects of long-term consolidation and settlement ofthe rest; + possible local drying out and cracking of the core at or near crest level during a prolonged drawdown, ‘The evolution of the “Pennines’ embankment is described in greater detail in Skempton (1989) and in Moffat (1999), (2002). 123.53. Puddle clay: nature and characteristics. satisfactory puddle clay has been produced from cohesive source soils of widely different clay content (from 20-70% clay fraction), and thus fiom across a correspondingly great range as regards soil plasticity, e.. from a low plasticity (CL) clay through to an extremely high (CE) plasticity clay. Representative generic puddle core clays are characterized in Table 12.5 in terms of their liquid and plastic consistency limits, wi, and w,. Liquidity indices, defined as SPECIALIZED APPLICATIONS 2 ‘Puddle core O20 fom Fio, 12.21, Pennines embankment: ¢.1860 (Phase 1) (after ‘Skempton 1989). @ @ Puddle core @ Selected material -Concrele cut-off @ Earth fil, 90cm lay © Chimney drain porns © Rubble stone Oot Fic, 12.22. Pennines embankment: ¢.1900 (Phase 3) (after Skempion 1989). where plasticity index /,= Ww, — wy, are also tabulated, and express the water content, w, of the puddle clay at placing relative to its consistency limits. It will be noted hat / frequently lies around the 40-50% math, ie. hose examples of puddle clay are at a consistency correspond ing to a water content approximately midway between that of their liquid and plastic limits. Clays with w, <80 ante 12.4, Bvolution of the Pennines” embankment dam in the United Kingdom Representative dimensions max. height core Hib Period (m) ratio! Impervious element Cutoff provision Supporting shoulders Phase 1 30 35106 slender central clay puddle clay : deep random fill lifts up to 1840-1865 ‘core: puddled in si trench as necessary 1.2m; no compaction Phase 2 35 3005 slender central puddle clay: deep select fill against core 1865-1880 puddle clay core trench as necessary (Moody zoning) lis to 1.2 m; toe drainage: ‘compaction incidental Phase 3 35 Bt slender central core; puddle elay: deep Select fill against cores 1880-1945, ‘pugeed’ puddle clay trench as necessary lifts to 1.2.m; ‘compaction limited Phase 4 4s e055 slender central core concrete in deeper 1945-1960 ‘pugeed’ puddle clay trenches and select fll against core: ‘grout curtain drainage provision etc; " Hie max. core height above buse; b= max. core width a base. controlled compaction * Phase dates indicative only; changes generally progressive and not universal