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Hydraulic gradient analysis on embankment dam

foundation associated with internal erosion

To cite this article: R A M Putra etal 2023 IOP Conf. Ser.: EarthEnviron. Sci. 1173 012027

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IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1173 (2023) 012027 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1173/1/012027

Hydraulic gradient analysis on embankment dam foundation

associated with internal erosion
R A M Putra 1, D Pratiwi 1, A D Putra 2, E P Wahono 2, D I Kusumastuti 2 and A
Fitri 1

1civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering and computer science,

universitas Teknokrat Indonesia, Z.A. pagar Alam street No. 9-11 Labuhan Ratu,
Bandar Lampung, 35148, Indonesia.

2civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, universitas Lampung,

sumantri Brojonegoro street No. 1, Rajabasa, Bandar Lampung, 35145, Indonesia.

Email: rioaditomo@teknokrat.ac.id
 Abstract. Internal erosion is susceptible to occur in conditions where there are cracks or pre-
formed cavities at the interface between the dam foundation and embankment. The initiation of
internal erosion is related to the critical gradient (Ic) and hydraulic gradient (Ixy) at a certain
position. The addition of repair materials in foundation improvement will change the total head,
especially on the dam foundation, so the value of the hydraulic gradient will also change
simultaneously from upstream to downstream. This study examines the value of the hydraulic
gradient (Ixy) at certain points on the dam foundation under the condition of foundation with and
without improvement. several scenarios were simulated using Geostudio seep/w software to
get an estimated value of the hydraulic gradient. The upstream blanket foundation improvement
method increases the hydraulic gradient in the upstream zone when compared to the curtain
grouting method, thereby increasing the potential for internal erosion in a related area. Increasing
the depth of curtain grouting from 25 m to 35 m does not significantly reduce the value of the
hydraulic gradient in the dam foundation. Research results can be used for analysis to improve
design and construction, and as a reference for similar dams.

1. Introduction

Dams have unique structures because, in addition to their size and variety, they also have a certain
relationship to the hydrological and geological aspects of the field. one of the main causes of dam failure
is internal erosion of the embankment or its foundation [1]. Internal erosion is the erosion of soil and
rocks by groundwater flow and seepage pressure [2]. In certain cases, seepage flow can occur in the
dam, but under certain conditions, it can cause internal erosion. Gradual internal erosion can form ducts
or large holes in the dam body or dam foundation. Erosion continues and water seeps downstream
through the holes created. The formation of large holes or pipes can alter the stability of the dam and
lead to structural failure. The statistic shows that about 50% of the failures of water-retaining structures
such as dams are caused by piping [1].

seepage control methods in permeable dam foundations vary widely, its effectiveness depends on
many factors. Grout curtains and upstream blankets are examples of seepage control methods. Those
methods will change the geometry of the dam due to the addition of grout material in the curtain grouting
method or impermeable core material in the upstream blanket method. The addition of repair materials
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IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1173 (2023) 012027 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1173/1/012027
will change the total energy height (total head), especially on the dam foundation, so that the value of
the hydraulic gradient in the direction of the x-axis andy-axis (Ixy) will also change simultaneously from
upstream to downstream. The initiation of internal erosion is related to critical gradient (Ic) and hydraulic
gradient (Ixy) at a certain position [3]. If hydraulic gradient (Ixy) exceeds critical gradient (Ic), the soil
grains will be released from their bonds so that it can initiate internal erosion on the dam foundation.
Based on these conditions, this study examines the value of the hydraulic gradient (Ixy) at certain
points on dam foundation under the condition of foundation with and without improvement. The object
of this research is way sekampung Dam located in pringsewu Regency, Lampung province. way
sekampung Dam is a rock-fill dam with a symmetrical clay core. This rock-fill dam has 55.0 m of peak
elevation and 49.0 m of designed static water level [4]. This research was carried out when the dam was
still under construction. several scenarios were simulated using Geostudio seep/w software to get an
estimated value of the hydraulic gradient.

1.1. Inteynal eyosion initiation

As described earlier, critical gradient (Ic) and the hydraulic gradient (Ixy) are related to the initiation of
internal erosion. critical gradient (Ic) is defined as the gradient that initiates internal erosion [5]. In 1922,
Terzaghi proposed the well-known critical hydraulic gradient formula described in equation (1), where
Y, is unit weight (t/m3); Ywis water unit weight (t/m3); Gs is specific gravity (dimensionless); and e is
void ratio (dimensionless).
G 1
IC = = 1 e (1)

Hydraulic gradient (Ixy) is a gradient that describes the difference in total energy height (total head)
in the zone. Internal erosion begins when the hydraulic gradient (Ixy) exceeds the critical gradient (Ic).
Based on this statement, it can be concluded that the hydraulic gradient value must be less than the
critical gradient value so that internal erosion does not occur. Increasing hydraulic gradient (Ixy) will
further increase the initiation of internal erosion

1.2. Foundation dam impyovement

seepage control of a dam can be carried out by selecting one of the foundation repair methods or a
combination of several methods. selection considerations are based on three important factors, namely
(1) condition of the dam foundation; (2) Dam Type; and (3) Dam dimensions. The existing foundation
improvement method at way sekampung Dam utilizes curtain grouting. In this study, the curtain
grouting and upstream blanket improvement methods will be analyzed to get insight into the distribution
of hydraulic gradient values in dam foundation.

The curtain grouting method aims to form a kind of watertight curtain in the foundation to reduce
internal water flow through the foundation by allowing the internal water flow to flow through the
bottom of the curtain [6]. As the internal water flow or seepage at the bottom of the curtain, the seepage
flow pattern lengthens and the internal water flow discharge from the dam is reduced. Grouting is the
process of injecting a liquid under pressure into cavities or pores, rock cracks and fissures, and allowing
the liquid to solidify physicochemically for a period of time. Injection materials are mixtures of cement
and water in specific ratios or in the form of specific chemicals.
 In conditions where the impermeable rock layers are too deep so that the application of the curtain
grouting method will be more difficult and require higher construction costs, the upstream blanket
method can be considered. The purpose of the dam foundation upstream blanket method is to reduce the
internal water flow discharge in the foundation layer by lengthening the internal water flow path with
the horizontal barrier system [6]. The material used for the upstream blanket may be the same as the
material for the impermeable core zone of the dam body and is arranged at the bottom of the upstream
reservoir with a specified length and thickness.
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1173 (2023) 012027 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1173/1/012027

1.3. conditions susceptible to internal erosion

Internal erosion can occur under conditions where cracks or pre-formed cavities are present at the
interface between the dam foundation and embankment. These existing cracks or cavities are often
caused by tensile cracks due to different subsidence during and after construction. cracks or pre-existing
cavities can be outlets for internal water flow, creating continuous tunnels or pipes. This phenomenon
is called internal erosion due to concentrated leaks [7] 一 [9]. A concentrated leak with erosion is driven
by flow in the cracks or other openings. Dam collapse statistics clearly show that concentrated leak is
the most dangerous mechanism over other internal erosion mechanisms [1]. A previous study was
performed using a hole erosion test (HET) apparatus that can simulate erosion phenomena in open
cracks. The experimental results show that the effects of compaction energy, moisture content, degree
of saturation,and the percentage of fines play a key role in erosion characteristics [10].

2. Methodology
2.1. Determination of dam cross-section

The foundation of way sekampung Dam lies on tuff, breccia, and quartzite. This study uses a typical
cross-section of the waysekampung dam,which is across-section of BD-3 (figure 1). The cross-section
of BD-3 has a base elevation of75.00 m located in quartzite rock (figure 2).
I

Note:
I I - I=BD-3cross-section(typical cross-section)
LEGEND:

Figure 1. Longitudinal section of the dam [4].

Figure 2. BD-3cross-section as atypical cross-section[4]. Notes:1=Impermeable core;2=Fine filter;3=
coarse filter;4=stone embankment;5=Rip-rap;TF=Tuff;BR=Breccia;kw=Quartzite;sk=schist.
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1173 (2023) 012027 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1173/1/012027

2.2. Basic parameters of modeling

The basic parameters used are the results of secondary data analysis in the form of permeability
coefficient (k), specific gravity (Gs), saturated water content (ws), and void ratio (e) as described in table
1.
Table 1. parameters of the body and foundation of way sekampung Dam [4].
Material k (cm/s) ws (%) Gs e
core 1x10-6 34.0 - -
Fine Filter 5x10-3 6.5 - -
coarse Filter 1x10-2 4.0 - -
stone Embankment 1x10-1 4.0 - -
Rip-Rap 1x10-1 5.6 - -
Tuff 5x10-4 21.28 2.555 1.17
Breccia 5x10-5 29.41 2.289 1.04
Quartzite 5x10-4 22.35 2.671 0.69
schist 5x10-5 6.88 2.671 0.2
curtain grouting method has weaknesses, even the effectiveness of grouting in foundation
improvement is difficult to measure with certainty [6]. Based on subjective and qualitative assessments,
the effectiveness of grouting in this study was assumed to be 90% (good). changes in permeability will
be different in each layer because the initial permeability of each layer has a different value. Foundation
permeability before and after grouting can be seen in table 2.

Table 2. Foundation permeability before and after grouting.

Material permeability before grouting(cm/s) permeability after grouting (cm/s)
Tuff 5x10-4 5x10-5
Breccia 5x10-5 5x10-6
Quartzite 5x10-4 5x10-5
schist 5x10-5 5x10-6
The upstream blanket method may be advised if the employment of the curtain grout method is
challenging due to the deep-seated impermeable rock layer. The material used for the upstream blanket
in this research was assumed to be the same as the material in the impermeable core zone of the dam
body (1 x 10-6 cm/s).
2.3. combination modeling scenarios
The depth of the existing curtain grouting at the way sekampung dam varies from 30 meters to 35
meters. General approximation to determine the depth of curtain grout can be expressed by equation 2
[6], where d is curtain grout depth (m); h is static water level; and c is coefficient (8 to 20).
1

d= 3 h+c
By using equation 2, the estimated effective curtain grout depth in way sekampung Dam was from 25.0
 m (c min. = 8) to 37.0 m (c max. = 20). In this study, three parameters of the curtain grout depth were
determined, namely: (1) The theoretic minimum size = 25.0 m; (2) The real minimum size at way
sekampung Dam = 30.0 m; and (3) The real maximum size at way sekampung Dam = 35.0 m. Based
on previous studies [11]一[13], the parameter of blanket thickness used in this study was specified to be
1.0 m, with variations in length dimensions: (1) 110 m (< four times the total head); (2) 160 m (four
times the total head); and (3) 210 m (> four times the total head). Based on the combination of two
different alternative foundation improvement methods (curtain grouting and upstream blanket), seven
modeling scenarios were created (table 3). All modeling scenarios were simulated using Geostudio/seep
w by providing certain boundary conditions. Figure 3a is a visualization of foundation improvement
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1173 (2023) 012027 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1173/1/012027

modeling scenario on adam typical section with a35.0m depth ofcurtain grouting. while figure3b is
a visualization offoundation improvement modeling scenario with210.0m length ofupstream blanket.

Table 3. combination Modelling scenarios.

Improvement parameter Modeling
No Improvement N/A scenario1

curtain Grouting; 25 m depth scenario 2

4,0m wide 30 m depth scenario 3
35 m depth scenario 4

110 m length scenario 5

upstream Blanket;
160 m length scenario 6
1,0m thickness
210 m length scenario 7
130
120
110
100
90
80
Elevation

70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0 curtain Grout
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 260 280 300 320 340 360 380 400

Distance
(a)
130
120
110
100
90
80
upstream Blanket
Elevation

70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 260 280 300 320 340 360 380 400

Distance
(b)

Figure 3. Modeling visualization of dam using Geostudio seep/w; (a) scenario 4; curtain
grouting method 35.0 m depth; and (b) scenario 7; upstream blanket method 210.0 m length.
 3. Result and Discussion

Foundation improvement with curtain grouting and upstream blanket methods will change the total
head, especially on the dam foundation, so that the value of the hydraulic gradient in the direction of the
x-axis andy-axis (Ixy) will also change simultaneously from upstream to downstream. In this study, the
changes in the value of the hydraulic gradient (Ixy) would be reviewed at a certain point location (nn) on
the foundation of the dam (figure 4). changes in the hydraulic gradient (Ixy) in the cross-section of the
dam according to the location of the specified point (nn) can be seen in (figure 5).
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1173 (2023) 012027 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1173/1/012027
upstream

Dam Foundation

Figure 4. Location of review point (nn).

16,0000
8,0000
4,0000
2,0000
1,0000
Hydraulic Gradient (Ixy)

0,5000
0,2500
0,1250
0,0625
0,0313
0,0156
0,0078
0,0039
0,0020
0,0010
0,0005
0,0002

n1 n2 n3 n4 n5 n6 n7 n8 n9
Review point

Figure 5. Hydraulic Gradient (Ixy) curve at review point (nn).

In scenarios 1, 2, 3 and 4 there is a similar pattern of changes in hydraulic gradient (Ixy) from upstream
to downstream of the dam. However, in scenarios 5, 6, and 7, the values of the hydraulic gradient (Ixy)
at locations n1, n2, and n3 yielded higher values up to 8.12 when compared to scenarios 1, 2, 3, and 4.
This was caused by the addition of upstream blanket material up to 210 min length (scenarios 5, 6, and
7). The longer the dimension of impermeable material used upstream, the greater the hydraulic gradient
(Ixy) in the upstream area. Due to these high gradient hydraulic values, cracks in the upstream zone
should be avoided to reduce the potential of internal erosion caused by the concentrated leak mechanism.
well-compacted upstream blanket material is an example of an effort to reduce the possibility of a
concentrated leak mechanism. voids must be avoided at the interface between the upstream blanket
material and the foundation layer. In addition, an investigation of the upstream foundation layer must
be carried out thoroughly so that if pre-existing cavities were found, the layer must be excavated and
replaced. From the point of view of the hydraulic gradient analysis in the upstream area, the upstream
blanket improvement method is more at risk of causing internal erosion hazards when compared to the
curtain grouting method.

Increasing the depth of curtain grouting from 25 m to 35 m does not significantly reduce the value
of the hydraulic gradient in the dam foundation. In terms of construction costs, grouting curtains with a
theoretical minimum depth (25 m) is more recommended than the existing maximum depth in the field
(35 m). Hydraulic gradient (Ixy) in the curtain grouting method (scenarios 2, 3, and 4) and the upstream
blanket method (scenarios 5, 6, and 7) yielded a smaller value in the downstream when compared to the
foundation without improvement (scenario 1). This condition will reduce the possibility of internal
erosion downstream of the dam. Both upstream blanket and curtain grouting methods have relatively
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1173 (2023) 012027 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1173/1/012027

similar values in the downstream zone. However, the smallest hydraulic gradient value in the
downstream zone occurs in the upstream blanket method at review point n9 with a value of 0.014
(scenario 7).

4. conclusion
In this research seven scenarios of the waysekampung Dam modeling have been carried out to examine
the value of the hydraulic gradient (Ixy) at certain points on the dam foundation under the condition of
the foundation with and without improvement. The largest hydraulic gradient value occurred in the
upstream blanket method at review point n3 with a value of 8.12 (scenario 7). The smallest hydraulic
gradient value in the downstream zone occurred in the upstream blanket method at review point n9 with
a value of 0.014 (scenario 7). The upstream blanket foundation improvement method increases the
hydraulic gradient in the upstream zone when compared to the curtain grouting method, thereby
increasing the potential for internal erosion in a related area. The longer the dimension of impermeable
material used upstream, the greater the potential for internal erosion to occur in the upstream zone.
Increasing the depth of curtain grouting from 25 m to 35 m does not significantly reduce the value
of the hydraulic gradient in the dam foundation. Both upstream blanket and curtain grouting methods
have relatively similar hydraulic gradient values in the downstream zone. In an improved foundation,
the hydraulic gradient in the downstream zone has a smaller value when compared to the unimproved
foundation. This condition will reduce the possibility of internal erosion downstream of the dam.
Research results can be used as an analysis for design and construction improvements and can also be
used as a reference for similar types of dams.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Universitas Teknokrat Indonesia (UTI) and Balai Besar wilayah sungai
(BBws) Mesuji -sekampung in Lampung province for their support of this research.
References

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[2] M. s. Fleshman and J. D. Rice, 2014 Laboratory Modeling of the Mechanisms of piping Erosion
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[3] p. Ming, J. Lu, x. cai, M. Liu, and x. chen 2020 Multi-particle Model of the critical Hydraulic
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[5] D. s. chang and L. M. zhang, 2013 critical Hydraulic Gradients of Internal Erosion under
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