CRITICAL FILTERS FOR IMPERVIOUS SOILS

Laboratory studies are reported that investigated the downstream filters that have been exposed to concentrated leaks developing in the protected impervious embankment material. Several different types of laboratory tests were performed using the same soils. The study results show that downstream filters with properties not greatly different from those used in current common practice will reliably prevent erosion of concentrated leaks, even when gradients and flow velocities are much greater than could possibly exist in a dam. It was found that the no erosion filter (NEF) test was the best available test for evaluating critical filters located downstream of impervious cores in embankment dams. It is a simple test and can be performed in any soil laboratory. These and other findings of the study are discussed.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/07339410
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  345 East 47th Street
  New York, NY  United States  10017-2398
• Authors:
  • Sherard, J L
  • Dunnigan, L P
• Publication Date: 1989-7

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 927-947
• Serial:
  • Journal of Geotechnical Engineering
  • Volume: 115
  • Issue Number: 7
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 0733-9410

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Dams; Embankments; Filters; Impervious soils; Laboratory studies; Leakage
• Old TRIS Terms: Filter materials
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; I42: Soil Mechanics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00486753
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 31 1989 12:00AM