2- Bligh’s Creep Theory for Seepage Flow

According to Bligh’s Theory, the percolating water follows the outline of the base of the foundation of the hydraulic
structure. In other words, water creeps along the bottom contour of the structure. The length of the path thus
traversed by water is called the length of the creep. Further, it is assumed in this theory, that the loss of head is
proportional to the length of the creep.
The total length of creep is given by
= L = d1 + d1 + b1 + d2 + d2 + b2 + d3 + d3
= (b1+ b2) + 2(d1 + d2 + d3)
= b+ 2(d1 + d2 + d3)
= ∑b +2× ∑d

Head loss per unit length

or hydraulic gradient = ( )
(𝐺 or H.G or 𝑖 )

If (Hs) is the total head loss between the upstream and the
downstream, and L is the length of creep, then the loss of head per
unit of creep length (Hs/L) is called the hydraulic gradient. x1, x2 and x3 ??
Further, Bligh makes no distinction between horizontal and
vertical creep.
2- Bligh’s Creep Theory for Seepage Flow / Check & Design
(A) Safety against piping or the exit gradient:
To check the piping must be computed
1- The actual creep length “L” of hydraulic structure according to any theory
2- The critical length “ ” of hydraulic structure
Lc= C.Hs
where
Soil type Value of c
C is the Bligh’s Coefficient for the soil.
Fine sand 15
Coarse sand 12
Sand mixed “gravel & loam soil” 5 to 9
Light sand 8
South of Iraq* 16
3- Comparison between them:
The hydraulic structure is safe against piping.
The hydraulic structure is unsafe against piping.
The hydraulic structure at the critical case
2- Bligh’s Creep Theory for Seepage Flow / Check & Design
(A) Safety against piping or the exit gradient: “anther way”
To check the piping must be computed
1- The hydraulic gradient “H.G” of hydraulic structure according to any theory

2- The critical hydraulic gradient “ ” of hydraulic structure

3- Comparison between them:

The hydraulic structure is unsafe against piping.

The hydraulic structure is safe against piping.
The hydraulic structure at the critical case
 2- Bligh’s Creep Theory for Seepage Flow / Check & Design
(B) Safety against uplift pressure: “According to linear relationship between the head (Hs) and creep (L)”

Similarities of triangles
A

@ @
ℎ
@ = creep length from U/S to a specific point
Note: To design or analysis, you can find the thickness based on previous law

Now we can find the x1, x2, and x3 and draw the hydraulic gradient line (H.G.L)
2- Bligh’s Creep Theory for Seepage Flow / H.G.L

Similarities of triangles
Ex.2: A hydraulic structure as shown in fig below, determine whether the structure is safe against
piping & design the thickness of the floor by Bligh’s method, the soil is light sand? “C=8”
Ex.3: A hydraulic structure as shown in fig below, determine whether the structure is safe against
piping & design the thickness of the floor by Bligh’s method? “C=16”
H.W.2: Calculate the maximum difference of head in the structure, where the soil is coarse sand
then draw the hydraulic gradient diagram? Thickness under the gate equal to 1.5 m.