Preparation of Design Charts for Estimation of the Length of an Upstream Impervious Blanket in a Homogenous Earth Dam

Abstract

Earth dams are constructed mainly from soil. A homogenous earth dam is composed of only one material. The seepage through such dams is quite high. Upstream impervious blanket is one of the methods used to control seepage through the dam foundations. Bennet's method is one of the commonly used methods to design an impervious upstream blanket. Design charts are developed relating the length of blanket, total reservoir head, total base width of the dam (excluding downstream drainage), the coefficient of permeability of the blanket material, blanket thickness, foundation thickness, and coefficient of permeability of the foundation soil, based on the equations governing the Bennet's method for a homogenous earth dam with a blanket of uniform thickness. The length of the upstream impervious blanket can be determined by using the developed charts. The length of the blanket is inversely proportional to the coefficient of permeability of the blanket material. The length of blanket is directly proportional to the total reservoir head, total base width of the dam (excluding downstream drainage), blanket thickness, foundation thickness, and coefficient of permeability of the foundation soil.