Composite Floor Profile (A.N. Khosala, N.K. Bose, E.M.

Taylor)
• Method of Schwarz –Christoffel transformation used for the analysis
of uplift pressure distribution along the floor and the pile.
• Weir and Barrage sections do not conform to these simple or
composite forms of floor profiles.
• Base of the structures usually complicated boundary shapes as shown
in Figure 1 for which Laplacian equation is not applicable. Thus, it is
not possible to obtain a mathematical solution of flownet.
• Applied analytical solution of Problem shown in Figure 1. They
evolved to solve new method for solving the problem which is known
as Method of Independent Variables.

Prof. Sumedha Chakma

Prof. Sumedha Chakma
Method of Independent Variables
Composite weir or barrage section is split up into a number of simple
standard forms for which mathematical solutions were obtained. Three
main forms are taken as follows:

Form 1: A straight horizontal floor of negligible thickness with a sheet

pil at upstream (u/s) end or downstream (d/s) end of floor.
Form 2: A straight horizontal floor of negligible thickness with sheet
pile at some intermediate point.
Form 3: Straight horizontal floor depressed below the bed but with no
cutoff/sheet pile.
Prof. Sumedha Chakma
Form 1

Prof. Sumedha Chakma

Form 2

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 Form 3

Figure d: Depressed Floor

Prof. Sumedha Chakma
EXPRESSION TO COMPUTE THE UPLIFT PRESSURE AT D/S
• Need to start the solution from Form 1 of d/s sheet pile.
• The uplift pressure at three key points E, D and C are given below with
respect to % of head.
• Uplift pressure at C point is zero since it
should be counterbalance with uplift pressure
so that Piping do not start from d/s pile.

Prof. Sumedha Chakma

EXPRESSION TO COMPUTE THE UPLIFT PRESSURE AT U/S

Uplift pressure at point E1 should be 100% i.e. PE1 = H.

Prof. Sumedha Chakma

EXPRESSION TO COMPUTE THE UPLIFT PRESSURE AT INTERMEDIATE PILE

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EXPRESSION TO COMPUTE THE UPLIFT PRESSURE AT DEPRESSED FLOOR

Prof. Sumedha Chakma

Graphically can also be obtained the values

Prof. Sumedha Chakma

Graphically can also be obtained the values

Prof. Sumedha Chakma

Graphically can also be obtained the values

Prof. Sumedha Chakma

 Exit Gradient / Hydraulic Exit Gradient
Exit gradient is the hydraulic gradient (GE) of sub-soil at the d/s or the exit of the floor.

Prof.
Figure: Flow Sumedha
path Chakma
of Exit Gradient
• To keep the soil grain remain stable, the submerged weight (Ws) of the soil
grain should be more than this upward disturging force (F). The disturbing
force at any is proportional to the gradient of pressure (dp/dl) of water at
that point.
• This gradient of pressure is known of water at the exit end is called exit
gradient.
• The seepage water exerts a force at each point in the direction of flow and
tangential to the stream lines as shown in figure. This force has an upward
component where the streamlines turns upward.
• In order to keep the soil particles at exit remain stable, the upward
pressure at the exit should be safe by maintaining less than critical
hydraulic gradient.
Prof. Sumedha Chakma
 Exit Gradient / Hydraulic Exit Gradient
• Hydraulic gradient (GE) or exit gradient can be estimated as:

• Exit gradient is infinity if sheet pile is not provided at d/s end the floor.
• Exit gradient should always be less than critical hydraulic gradient
(Hydraulic or pressure gradient at which soil particles will be lifted up and which will lead
to piping)
Prof. Sumedha Chakma
EXPRESSION FOR EXIT GRADIENT

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 Critical Exit Gradient
• Exit gradient is said to be Critical Exit Gradient if the upward disturbing force on
the grain is just equal to the submerged weight of the grain at that exit.
• A factor of safety be taken as 4 to 5 for safety i.e. To keep the structure safe
against undermining
• Critical hydraulic
gradient is approx.
equal to 1
for alluvial soil.

Prof. Sumedha Chakma