Common Problems with Groundwater in Engineering Engineering below the water table needs to manage with the pressure

of water at depth and the flows of water that can be encountered, especially into and around or beneath the engineering structure itself. Water Pressure Most of the common problems are associated with water pressure, some of which are illustrated in the fig.

Fig.8.4a. shows the rock block on a sloping surface. When dry, stability depends on friction between surface and block and block weight, but if the backing joint is filled with water, water pressure thrusts the block down slope and, if water flows under the block, uplift pressures result, which reduce the normal load on the surface and hence the frictional resistance the weight of the block can generate.

In soil slopes or very large slopes in rock, where rotational failure is possible (Fig. 8.4b) water pressures generated by groundwater reduce potential stability.

When a reservoir is impounded behind a dam water pressure acting on the back of the dam (Fig. 8.4c) will tend to push the dam downstream. This could lead to failure if the rock foundation contains unfavourably orientated weak layers or discontinuities.

If waterflows under the dam (Fig. 8.4d), this will give rise to uplift pressures, further reducing dam stability. Example (d) may be considered as nothing more than an elaboration of (a).

Figure 8.4e shows an excavation being made in soil over a layer of low permeability rock, an aquitard, which confines ground containing water under pressure. Before the excavation was made the soil pressure above was sufficient to balance the pressure of water at depth. However, as the excavation is deepened confining pressure is reduced and the point may be reached when it is less than the water pressure trapped beneath it. This unbalanced pressure can rupture the layer that confines it and very rapid, often catastrophic, water inflows occur.

Excavations may be made to depths below water table level (for structures such as dry docks, underground car parks, underpass roads and the like) by lowering the water table level or excluding water from the excavation. The finished structure will be watertight and, once completed, the water table will return to normal levels imposing uplift forces on the structure (Fig. 8.4f). These may have to be resisted by anchorages or tension piles. In each example except (b) the water pressure is acting against a more-or-less impermeable surface but in (b) the water pressures are intergranular pore pressures. Pore pressures may be increased in many different ways to the point where they cause failure. Thus, for example, saturated fine sands may liquefy because of excessive pore pressures generated by earthquake tremors. In the construction of embankments exFig. 8.4. Examples of significance of water pressures on engineering structures cessive compaction without allowing time for drainage may raise pore pressures to levels threatening embankment stability. Water Inflow Any engineering works carried out below the level of the water table will encounter groundwater inflow towards them. The rate of flow will depend upon the size and depth of the excavation and the hydrogeological properties of the rocks and soils involved, both in the excavation and in the surrounding area. Dealing with the water inflow, or alternatively, adopting some means of excluding it wholly or in part, may involve major expense. Inflow of water into excavations may cause flooding of the excavation, collapse of the sides and boiling of the floor. Except in the case of small inflows which may be dealt with by pumping from a sump or collector trench, it will be necessary either to drain or de-water the area, preferably before excavation begins. Any method which allows temporary lowering of the water table may be adopted.

Fig. 8.4. Examples of significance of water pressures on engineering structures