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Evaluating the design of an earth dam by finite element analysis
Author(s) -
De Wet M.,
Hugo F.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
international journal for numerical and analytical methods in geomechanics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.419
H-Index - 91
eISSN - 1096-9853
pISSN - 0363-9061
DOI - 10.1002/nag.1610120509
Subject(s) - finite element method , foundation (evidence) , geology , excavation , levee , geotechnical engineering , hydraulic fracturing , rock blasting , earth (classical element) , engineering , structural engineering , mathematics , archaeology , geography , mathematical physics
An earth dam was to be constructed on a site which posed non‐uniform foundation conditions. The most prominent feature was a vertical contact between unweathered quartzite and decomposed diabase running parallel to the valley. The paper describes a two‐dimensional finite element analysis on the foundation and embankment to determine relative settlements and the possibility of hydraulic fracturing of the clay core. The analysis was extended to evaluate the effectiveness of site improvement measures such as excavation and recompaction of the decomposed diabase and elimination of the contact problem by blasting into the unweathered quartzite. Comparing results from the various analyses, it was concluded that the latter was the only viable solution to the problem.