MEKANIKA TANAH

PRODI TEKNIK SIPIL

UNIVERSITAS PELITA BANGSA
Laplace’s Equation of Continuity

In the preceding chapter, we considered

some simple cases for which direct app.
of Darcy’s law was required to calculate
the flow of water through soil

In many instances, the flow of

water through soil is not in one
direction only, nor is it uniform over
the entire area perpendicular to
the flow

In such cases, the groundwater

flow is generally calculated by the
use of graphs referred to as flow
nets

The concept of the flow net is based

on Laplace’s equation of continuity,
which governs the steady flow
condition for a given point in the soil
mass
 Laplace’s Equation of Continuity
Let 𝒙 and 𝒛 be
the components of
the discharge
velocity in the
horizontal and
vertical directions

The rate of flow of

water into the
elemental block in
the horizontal
direction is equal
to 𝒙 , and
in
the
vertical
direction it 𝒛
is
For flow at a Let vx and vz
point A, The be the
let us consider a The steady state
To derive the block has components of
single row of flow of water
Laplace The row of sheet dimensions dx, the discharge
sheet piles that through the
differential piles is assumed dy, and dz velocity in the
have been driven permeable layer (length dy is
equation of to be impervious horizontal
into a permeable is a two- perpendicular to
continuity
soil layer dimensional flow the plane of the and vertical
paper) directions,
respectively
 Laplace’s Equation of Continuity
The outflow from the block
in the horizontal and
vertical directions are

𝒙
𝒙

𝒛
𝒛

Assuming that water is

incompressible, no volume
change in the soil, the total
inflow should equal the total
outflow.
𝒙 𝒛
𝒙 𝒛 𝒙 𝒛

𝒙 𝒛
....……….…..8.1
 Laplace’s Equation of Continuity
With Darcy’s law, the From Eqs. (8.1), (8.2), and
discharge velocities can be (8.3), we can write:
expressed as
𝒙 𝒛
....…….…..8.1
……….…………....7.6

� �
......8.2 � � ......8.4
𝒙 𝒙 𝒙 𝒙 𝒙 � 𝒛 �
� �

𝒛 𝒛 𝒛
......8.3 If the soil is isotropic with
𝒛
respect to the hydraulic
where 𝒙 and 𝒛 conductivity that is 𝒙
𝒛
hydraulic conductivities ar
𝟐
e
the horizontal and vertical 𝟐 ................8.5
� �
directions, respectively. � �

th
e
Continuity Equation for Solution
of Simple Flow Problems
The continuity equation
given in Eq. (8.5) can be
used in solving some
simple flow problems

Because the flow is in only

the z direction,
continuity
(8.5)] is simplified the
form: equation
� [Eq.
� ………................8.6
� to the
� or
� � ....…….…..8.7
� �
where � and � are
� �
constants
Continuity Equation for Solution
of Simple Flow Problems
To obtain 𝟏 and 𝟐 for
flow through soil layer no.
1, we must know the
boundary conditions,
which are as
follows:
Condition1: at, �
�
Condition2: at, � �
� �

� � ....…….…..8.7
� �
� � �
� � �
� �
....…….………....8.8
� �
 Continuity Equation for Solution
of Simple Flow Problems
Similarly, combining Eq. (8.7) and For flow through soil layer no. 2, the
Condition 2 with Eq. (8.8) gives boundary conditions are

Condition2: at, � � Condition1: at, � �

� � � �
Condition2: at, � �
� � ....…….…..8.7 � �
� �
� �
....…….………....8.8 � � ....…….…..8.7
� � � �
� 𝟏 �
� 𝟏 �
� 𝟏 �
� 𝟏 �
� � 𝟐 𝟐 𝟏
............8.11
�
……....8.9 𝟏
� �
� 𝟏
Also, from Condition 2 and Eqs. (8.7) and
Combining Eqs. (8.7), (8.8), and (8.9), we
(8.11)
obtain
𝟏 𝟐
𝟏 …....8.10 𝟏 𝟐 𝟐
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
� 𝟏
� �
𝟏 � �
� ......................8.12
 Continuity Equation for Solution
of Simple Flow Problems
Where
Similarly, combining Eq. (8.7) and
A = area of cross section of the soil
Condition 2 with Eq. (8.8) gives
𝟏 = hydraulic conduc. of soil layer no. 1
Condition2: at, � �
� � 𝟐 = hydraulic conduc. of soil layer no. 2
� � 𝟏 𝟏
� � � � � …………….…..8.14
� � � � � 𝟏 𝟐
� � �
� �
�
� � � �
� ……..8.13 Substituting Eq. (8.14) into Eq. (8.10) and
� �
𝟐 �
𝟐 Eq. (8.13) Why?
𝟏 �
𝟏 �
……..8.15
�
At any given
𝟐 time, flow through soil layer � 𝟏 𝟐
𝟐 𝟏
no. 1 equals flow through soil layer no. 𝟏 Task
2, so �
� � � �
𝟏 𝟐 � 𝟏 𝟐 � �
� 𝟐 � 𝟐 𝟏
� � � � � � �
� �
……..8.16
� � �
Example
Example
 Kerjakan
Refer to the
constant-head
permeability test determine the
arrangement in a value of �
�
two-layered soil
as shown in Example: NIM:

Figure 8.2. 41118210013,

� �
� �
�
�
� �
� �
� �
� �
� �
� �
 Tugas
Substitute Eq. (8.14) into Eq. (8.13)
 Principles of
Geotechnical
Engineering 7th
� �
……..8.13
Edition �
�
� �
�
�
� �
 (Braja M. Das)
𝟏
� 𝟏
…………….…..8.14
� 𝟏 𝟐
�
� �
�
� �

Prove it…..!!!!! Why?

�
� � � � ....8.16
� 𝟏 𝟐 𝟐 � �
𝟏