LESSON 7: FLOW NETS

FLOW LINE – a line along which a water particle will travel from upstream to the
downstream side in the permeable soil medium.

EQUIPOTENTIAL – a line along which the potential head at all points is equal.

FLOW NETS – a combination of a number of flow lines and equipotential lines.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A FLOW NET

1. The equipotential lines intersect the flow lines at right angles.

2. The flow elements formed are approximate square.

RATE OF SEEPAGE THROUGH THE FOUNDATION

1. For isotropic soils

𝐤𝐇𝐍𝐟
𝐐= (rate of seepage from a flow net)
𝐍𝐝

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 Where:

k x = k z = k (coefficient of permeability)

Nf = 5 (Number of flow channels)

Nd = 8 (Number of potential drops)

2. For non – isotropic soils

√𝐤 𝐱 𝐤 𝐳 𝐇𝐍𝐟
𝐐=
𝐍𝐝

Where:

k x ≠ k z ; k = √k x k z

UPLIFT PRESSURE UNDER HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES

There are 7 equipotential drops: Nd = 7

H 21
Loss of head for each potential: = = 3m
Nd 7

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 Pa = (21 − 3)γw = 18γw

Pb = (18 − 3)γw = 15γw

Pc = (15 − 3)γw = 12γw

Pd = (12 − 3)γw = 9γw

Pe = (9 − 3)γw = 6γw

Pf = (6 − 3)γw = 3γw

(18γw + 3γw )(36)(1)

Uplift Force =
2
Uplift Force = 378γw (per unit length)

Uplift Force = 378(9.81) = 3708.18 kN/m

SEEPAGE THROUGH AN EARTH DAM ON AN IMPERVIOUS BASE

a.

kHNf
Q= ; Nf = 3; Nd = 11
Nd

Q = seepage through the earth dam

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b.

k(h1 2 − h2 2 )
Q= ; Nf = 3; Nd = 11
2L

c.

Q = kLtanθsinθ

d d2 H2
L= √ −
cos θ cos2 θ sin2 θ

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SEEPAGE THROUGH THE FOUNDATION

kHNf
Q= ; Nf = 4; Nd = 9
Nd

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EXAMPLES

1. Calculate the seepage loss per meter length of the sheet pile (at right angle to the cross –
section shown). k = 6.5 x 10-6 m/s

SOLUTION

Nf = no. of spaces between the flow line

Nd = no. of spaces between equipotential lines

Nf = 3

Nd = 6

kHNf
Q=
Nd

(6.5 x 10−6 )(4.3)(3)

Q=
6

𝐐 = 𝟏𝟑. 𝟗𝟕𝟓 𝐱 𝟏𝟎−𝟔 𝐦𝟑 /𝐬/𝐦

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2. From the figure shown,

kx = 0.3 m/day (horizontal direction)

ky = 0.4 m/day (vertical direction)

a. Compute the uplift pressure at C.

b. Compute the uplift force per unit length along the axis of the weir.

c. Compute the seepage through the foundation.

SOLUTION

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a. Uplift pressure at C

There are 6 equipotential drops in the flow net and a loss of head in each potential
drop of 12/6 = 2m.

Pc = [12 + 2 − 3(2)](9.81)

𝐏𝐜 = 𝟕𝟖. 𝟒𝟖 𝐤𝐏𝐚

b. Compute the uplift force per unit length along the axis of the weir.

Pa = [12 + 2 − 2](9.81)

Pa = 117.72 kPa

Pb = [(12 + 2) − 2(2)](9.81)

Pb = 98.10 kPa

Pc = [(12 + 2) − 3(2)](9.81)

Pc = 176.58 kPa

Pd = [(12 + 2) − 4(2)](9.81)

Pd = 58.86 kPa

Pe = [(12 + 2) − 5(2)](9.81)

Pe = 39.24 kPa

(117.72 + 98.10)(3) (98.10 + 78.48)(3)

Uplift force = +
2 2

(78.48 + 58.86)(3) (58.86 + 37.24)(3)

+
2 2

𝐤𝐍
𝐔𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 = 𝟗𝟒𝟏. 𝟕𝟔
𝐦

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c. Compute the seepage through the foundation.

Nf = 6

Nd = 4

k = √k x k z

k = √(0.3)2 + (0.4)2

k = 0.50 m/day

kHNf
Q=
Nd

(0.50)(12)(6)
Q=
4

𝐐 = 𝟗𝐦𝟑 /𝐝𝐚𝐲

3. An earth dam on a pervious but strong earth foundation has the cross – section shown.
The core of the dam is sealed from the jointed rock foundation with thin layer of gunite or
splush grout.

a. Calculate the seepage through the dam.

b. Calculate the seepage through the foundation.

c. Compute the total seepage.

d. What minimum permeability is required in drain B to prevent saturation from rising into
the random fill zone?

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SOLUTION

a. Seepage through the dam

Nf = 3.5

Nd = 6

H = 30

k1 HNf
Q1 =
Nd

(0.002)(30)(3.5)
Q1 =
6

𝐐𝟏 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟑𝟓 𝐦𝟑 /𝐝𝐚𝐲/𝐦

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b. Seepage through the foundation

Nf = 3

Nd = 8

H = 30

k 2 HNf
Q2 =
Nd

(0.3)(30)(3)
Q2 =
8

𝐐𝟐 = 𝟑. 𝟑𝟕𝟓 𝐦𝟑 /𝐝𝐚𝐲/𝐦

c. Total seepage

Q = Q1 + Q 2

Q = 0.035 + 3.375

𝐐 = 𝟑. 𝟒𝟏 𝐦𝟑 /𝐝𝐚𝐲/𝐦

d. Minimum permeability

k(h1 2 − h2 2 )
Q=
2L

k((1.5)2 − (0)2 )
3.41 =
2(45)

𝐤 = 𝟏𝟑𝟔. 𝟒 𝐦/𝐝𝐚𝐲

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4. A dam section is shown with sheet piles driven at a depth of 8m below the ground
surface. The coefficient of permeability of the permeable layer in the vertical and horizontal
directions are kz = 0.02 mm/s and kx = 0.04 mm/s respectively. Calculate the seepage loss
of the dam in lit/s/m if it is non – isotropic soil.

SOLUTION

Nf = 4

Nd = 6

m
k x = 0.00004
s
m
k z = 0.00005
s

k = √k x k z

k = √0.00004(0.00005)

k = 0.0000447 m/s

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 kHNf
Q=
Nd

(0.0000447)(6)(4)
Q=
10

Q = 0.000107m3 /s/m

𝐐 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟏𝟎𝟕𝐥𝐢𝐭/𝐬/𝐦

Reference:

Basic Fundamentals of Geotechnical Engineering, 5th Edition

Venancio I. Besavilla Jr.

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