EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION ON SOIL SUITABILITY OF THE EARTHEN DAM

Abstract

A dam is an engineering structure constructed on a river or stream to divert, or store water for the purpose of water supply energy generation, irrigation, flood control, ground water recharge, conservation, storage and recreation among others. Concrete and Embankment are two generic types of dams, amongst which embankment dams being the first choice for technical as well as economical reasons. Rock fill and Earthen dam being the principal variants of embankment dams, the present work focuses on suggesting soil suitability and slope stability analysis using software for a proposed earth dam construction “Earthen Dams or Earth dams are the dams which are built of compacted soil or rock fragments”. Dam failure constitutes a potential hazard to downstream life and property and can result in unacceptable fatalities and economic damage. A failure of earth dam is basically involves a seepage failure or a structural failure. Thus the design and construction of an earthen dam is one of the key challenges in the field of geotechnical engineering.The proposed earth dam considered herein is a zoned dam that is composed of the central impermeable core and flanked by more pervious shells. This project thus briefs about a theoretical background of earthen dam, its components, classification, modes of failures, and principles adopted for governing safety of dam pre and post construction. The project work is comprised of thorough experimental investigation as per IS codes to suggest suitability amongst 6 soil samples viz; 4 core samples and 2 casing samples Based on detailed laboratory investigation out of 4 core samples only 2 with classification as SC and SM, are recommended to be fairly suitable, however, laboratory investigation suggests unsuitability of the 2 casing samples received. Thus a thorough laboratory investigation facilitated a reliable and stability of proposed earthen dam.