7.

SEEPAGE THROUGH SOILS

7.2
LAPLACES
EQUATION:
Consider 2-D flow in a
saturated,
homogeneous, isotropic
& incompressible soil at
steady state (Fig. 7.1):
Continuity condition:

Fig. 7.1

Vx
Vz
(Vx
dx)dzdy (Vz
dz )dxdy Vx dzdy Vz dxdy 0
x
z
Vx Vz

0
(k x ) (k z ) 0
x
z
x
x z
z

7. SEEPAGE THROUGH SOILS

2h 2h
2 2 0 (k x k z k for isotropic soil )
x
z
General solution of Laplace equation results
in flow lines (indicating flow direction) &
equipotential lines (lines joining points of
equal total head) which are orthogonal to
each other.
FLOW NET (Fig. 7.2)

Fig. 7.2

Fig. 7.2

7. SEEPAGE THROUGH SOILS

Flow lines and equipotential

lines form a flow net (Fig. 7.2)
(made
up
of
elementary
squares).
D/s water level is taken as
datum.
Space between adjacent flow
lines flow channel.
Space between adjacent flow
lines and adjacent equipotential
lines field.
Seepage calculation using flow net
(refer Fig. 7.3)
Fig. 7.3

7. SEEPAGE THROUGH SOILS

In Fig. 7.3:
Field 1 & 2 between two successive flow lines.
Field 2 & 3 within same equipotential lines.

q1 k (

h1
h
)( a1 )(1), q2 k ( 2 )(a2 )(1),
b1
b2

q3 k (

h3
)(a3 )(1)
b3

q1= rate of flow through field 1 etc., h1= head loss across field 1 etc.
But, q1 = q2 (1 and 2 are within same flow channel), h2 = h3 (2 and 3 are
within same equipotential line)

a1 a2 a3

1 ( square flow net )

b1 b2 b3

Hence,
q1 = q2 = q3 = q & h1 = h2 = h3 = h
H
Thus,
q = kh = k ( n ) (H=total head loss, nd=number of equipotential drops).
d

7. SEEPAGE THROUGH SOILS

Also,
n
q = q x nf = kH( f
nd
If,

(nf = no. of flow channels).

a
b = n, instead of = 1, for all fields,
q = kH(

nf
nd

)n

Uplift pressure using flow net:

uplift pressure at any point = pore water pressure acting vertically u/w
due to residual pressure head at that point.

7. SEEPAGE THROUGH SOILS

Exit gradient and piping using flow

net (refer Fig. 7.5)
critical hydraulic gradient = icr =

(G 1)
(1 e)

When
upward
hydraulic
gradient = 1, piping takes place.
Exit gradient should never come
close to critical hydraulic
gradient to avoid piping. (F. S. of
6 is suggested). (F. S. against

icr
boiling =
ie )

Fig. 7.5

7. SEEPAGE THROUGH SOILS

Factor of safety with respect to piping by heave,

Wb
F. S. =
(Wb = submerged weight of soil prism, U = total seepage
U

force).
If filter is placed over affected soil prism,
F. S. =

(Wb W f )
U

(Wf = weight of filter).

Pore water pressure determination:

Pore water pressure at a point = pressure head at that point x unit
weight of water.

7. SEEPAGE THROUGH SOILS

7.5 SEEPAGE IN ANISOTROPIC SOIL
(Fig. 7.11 & 7.12)
In anisotropic soil, continuity
equation,
2h
2h
kx ( 2 ) kz ( 2 ) 0
x
z
2
h
2h

0
2
kz

z
2
x
kx

Introduce,
xt x

kz
kx

Then,
2h 2h

0
xt2 z 2

Fig. 7.11(a) & 7.11(b)

7. SEEPAGE THROUGH SOILS

Natural & transformed section:

q kiA k ' (

H
H
)(b) k x
(b)
b
k
b x
kz

k ' kxkz

Fig. 7.12

7. SEEPAGE THROUGH SOILS

7.6

FLOW
THROUGH
NONHOMOGENEOUS
SECTIONS (Fig. 7.13)

AC, BD equipotential lines,

head loss over AB & CD = same =
H

H
H
q k1 ( ) AC k 2 ( ) BD
AB
CD
k1 tan 1
AB
CD

(tan 1
, tan 2
)
k 2 tan 2
AC
BD
If k1 10k2, practically there is no
resistance to flow.

Fig. 7.13

7. SEEPAGE THROUGH SOILS

7.7 PROTECTIVE FILTERS:

They are used to control erosion & piping.
Specifications:
D15 ( filter )
(i)

D85 ( protected material )

(ii) 4

(iii)

D15 ( filter )
20
D15 ( protected material )

D50 ( filter )
25
D50 ( protected material )