OPTIMIZATION OF DRAINAGE SYSTEM GEOMETRY IN EARTH-FILL DAMS A NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF SEEPAGE BEHAVIOR IN THE IRANIAN SAHAND DAM

J. CHABOKPOUR, R. NOROUZI, M. YOUNESI AGHDAM, H.M.D. AZAMATHULLA

Abstract


This study investigates seepage behavior for the Sahand Dam, which is an earth-fill embankment situated in northwestern Iran, using SEEP/W finite element analysis software. This research compares the effectiveness of various drainage configurations for maintaining seepage control and affecting pore water pressure distribution. The dam geometry was modeled with a mesh interval of 1.1 meters, together with material parameters and boundary conditions, in order to simulate steady-state seepage conditions. Tests were conducted to contrast without and with toe drainage conditions for discharge rates across different cross-sections and reservoir levels. The result shows a decrease in seepage discharge by 4% per meter of fall in reservoir level for both cases, the imposition of toe drains curiously raising the discharge rate by 1.5% due to longer hydraulic paths. The research also analyzed the impact of horizontal and vertical drain lengths, and concluded that 50 meters long horizontal drains were most economical despite having slightly greater discharge rates. Vertical drain performance was a function of height, with considerable control of seepage only when installed at maximum reservoir elevation. Horizontal drain thickness analysis also failed to demonstrate significant correlation with discharge rates with respect to configurations tested (0.5-1.5 meters), though 1-meter thickness was found to be most economical. Results of this are most indicative in terms of optimizing the drainage system design of earth-fill dams with respect to seepage behavior and that of the drainage structure.


Keywords


Earth-fill dam seepage, SEEP/W finite element analysis, Drainage system optimization, Pore water pressure distribution, Hydraulic conductivity modelling

Full Text:

PDF

References


ABD RAHMAN A.N., OTHMAN F., WAN JAAFAR W.J., AHMED ELSHAFIE A.H.K. (2023). An assessment of floods' characteristics and patterns in Pahang, Malaysia, Larhyss Journal, No 55, pp. 89-105.

ALWAN A.H., AL-ADILI A. (2022). Numerical analysis of water and crude oil flux from clayey soil by GeoStudio-SEEP/W, Geotechnical Engineering and Sustainable Construction, Vol. 14, Issue 6, pp. 194–201.

AMARA L., BERREKSI A. (2018). Computation of 1D side weir flow by finite element method, Larhyss Journal, No 35, pp. 45-58. (In French)

AMARA L., LACHI H., BERREKSI A. (2019). Numerical computation of hydraulic jump by finite element model, Larhyss Journal, No 38, pp. 59-70. (In French)

ARIBUDIMAN I.N., REDANA I.W., HARMAYANI K.D. (2019). Seepage in soil from the difference of water viscosity using GeoStudio SEEP/W program, Journal of Engineering, Vol. 45, Issue 2, pp. 125–131.

AROUA N. (2020). Flood risk reduction strategy in Algiers a brief modern history (XVIthC -XIXthC), Larhyss Journal, No 43, pp. 73-89.

ARSHAD I., BABAR M.M. (2014). Comparison of SEEP/W simulations with field observations for seepage analysis through an earthen dam (case study: Hub Dam-Pakistan), International Journal of Research, Vol. 12, Issue 3, pp. 45–52.

ASADI M., KHAZAEI J. (2014). Seepage modeling for dam stability using Seep/W, Journal of Engineering Sciences, Vol. 31, Issue 3, pp. 87–93.

AYARI K., DJEBBI M., CHAKROUN H. (2016). Flood risk mapping of the city of El Bab Medjez by the overflow of the Medjerda, Larhyss Journal, No 25, pp. 285-307. (In French)

BAHIR M., EL MOUKHAYAR R., CARREIRA P. SOUHEL A. (2015). Isotopic tools for groundwater management in semi-arid area: case of the wadi Ouazzi basin (Morocco), Larhyss Journal, No 23, pp. 23-39.

BAUDHANWALA D., KANTHARIA V., PATEL D., MEHTA D., WAIKHOM S. (2023). Applicability of SWMM for urban flood forecasting a case study of the western zone of Surat city, Larhyss Journal, No 54, pp. 71-83.

BENFETTA H., OUADJA A., ACHOUR B., REMINI B. (2016). Capacity loss in dams located in arid and semi-arid zones. case of Gargar, Bouhanifia, Ouizert and Foum El Gherza dams, Larhyss Journal, No 25, pp. 183-201. (In French)

BENFETTA H., ACHOUR B., BOUDINA S., HOCINI N., OUADJA A. (2017a). Techniques for detecting the progress of the leaks in dams and other artificial reservoirs, Larhyss Journal, No 30, pp. 361-390. (In French)

BENFETTA H., ACHOUR B., OUADJA A. (2017b). Water leaks in dams in the world. Some Algerian examples, Larhyss Journal, No 31, pp. 195-218. (In French)

BEKHIRA A., HABI M., MORSLI B. (2019). The management of flood risk and development of watercourses in urban areas: case of the town of Bechar, Larhyss Journal, No 37, pp. 75-92. (In French)

BEN SAID M., HAFNAOUI M.A., HACHEMI A., MADI M., BENMALEK A. (2024). Evaluating the effectiveness of the existing flood risk protection measures along wadi Deffa in El-Bayadh city, Algeria, Larhyss Journal, No 59, pp. 7-28.

BENSLIMANE M., BERREKSI A., BENMAMAR S., BOUACH A. (2020). Flood risk numerical simulation of Bejaia city urban zone (Algeria), Larhyss Journal, No 42, pp. 167-178.

BOULY S., CISSE A., FAYE C. (2019). Problematic of storm water management in cities in developing countries: case of Santhiaba and Belfort district (commune of Ziguinchor, Senegal), Larhyss Journal, No 39, pp. 313-331.

CHABOKPOUR J. (2025). Hydrodynamic analysis of flood wave propagation through rockfill detention dams: a 3D numerical study, Modeling Earth Systems and Environment, Vol. 11, Issue 1, Paper ID 31.

CHABOKPOUR J., MINAEI O. (2024). Investigating the effect of buried walls through rockfill detention structures on the longitudinal water surface profile, Journal of Hydraulic Structures, Vol. 10, Issue 2, pp. 1–17.

CHETTI A., HAZZAB A., KORICHI K. (2010). Modeling of an eroding two-phase flow in a porous medium - case of suffusion, Larhyss Journal, No 9, pp. 83-97. (In French)

DEKA A. (2017). Unsaturated seepage modeling of lined canal using SEEP/W, i-Manager's Journal on Civil Engineering, Vol. 9, Issue 4, pp. 15–23.

DOLATKHAH S., KAZEMIAZAR F., NOURMAND B. (2015). Simulation of seepage from earthen canals of Moghan irrigation and drainage network using Seep/W model, Bulletin of Environmental Science, Vol. 45, Issue 3, pp. 102–110.

FARAJI SORBAGHI L., BEHESHTI A., KARBALA M.A. (2014). Evaluation and seepage analysis of rock-fill dam subjected to water level with SEEP/W and FLAC: Gotvand-Olya Dam, International Journal of Energy & Environment, Vol. 34, Issue 5, pp. 221–230.

GASSI K.A.A., SAOUDI H. (2023). The effect of the physical parameterization schemes in WRF-ARW on the quality of the prediction of heavy rains that cause flooding application on eastern Algeria, Larhyss Journal, No 56, pp. 123-137.

GHOLAMI A., MOHEBATZADEH A. (2012). Seepage analysis in the earth dam with clay core using Seep/W software: A case study of the Karkheh Dam, Caspian Journal of Civil Engineering, Vol. 25, Issue 4, pp. 65–71.

GHORBANI M.A., AGHVAMI E., ABBASPOUR A. (2013). Estimation of channel seepage using SEEP/W and evolutionary polynomial regression modelling, Case study: Qazvin and Isfahan channels, Journal of Civil Engineering, Vol. 34, Issue 2, pp. 211–215.

GOVINDARAJAN S. K., MISHRA, A., KUMAR, A. (2020). Darcy’s experimental empirical relation and its extension, Larhyss Journal, No 42, pp. 7-22.

HARIRI ASLI H., NAZARI S. (2021). Water age and leakage in reservoirs; some computational aspects and practical hints, Larhyss Journal, No 48, pp. 151-167.

HASSAN W.H., ATSHAN T.T., THIAB R.F. (2024). Effect of drain pipes on seepage and slope stability through a zoned earth dam, Open Engineering, Vol. 15, Issue 4, pp. 345–356.

HOUNTONDJI B., CODO F.P., DAHOUNTO S.V.H., GBAGUIDI T.B. (2019). Flood management in urban environment: case of the Cotonou city in Benin, Larhyss Journal, No 39, pp. 333-347. (In French)

IKNI T., BERREKSI A., BELHOCINE M., NEBBAR M.L., BENKADJA R. (2017). Experimental study of mass transport in saturated porous media: "modeling in the laboratory", Larhyss Journal, No 29, pp. 301-322. (In French)

JAMEL A.A.J. (2016). Analysis and estimation of seepage through homogenous earth dams without filters, Diyala Journal of Engineering Sciences, Vol. 25, Issue 2, pp. 123–130.

JAMEL A.A.J. (2018). Investigation and estimation of seepage discharge through homogenous earth dam with core by using SEEP/W model and artificial neural network, Diyala Journal of Engineering Sciences, Vol. 45, Issue 4, pp. 102–110.

JAYASENA H.A.H., RATHNAYAKE R.D.D.P., CHANDRASENA M.G.P.N., RANATHUNGA B.P.D.W. (2021). A classic example of urban-rural linkages through ancient Voda Ela in Sri Lanka - symbiosis of total environment on efficient water management, Larhyss Journal, No 47, pp. 59-82.

KEZZAR M., SOUAR A. (2024). The water management system in the village of Menades in Algeria between past and present, Larhyss Journal, No 57, pp. 55-79.

KHAZAEI J. (2014). Seepage analysis in body and foundation of dam using Seep/3D and SEEP/W, Journal of Civil Engineering Research, Vol. 22, Issue 5, pp. 143–150.

MAHDI R., AI-HADIDI M.T. (2023). The simulation of seepage through the foundations: Hilla Canal Main Regulator as case study, E3S Web of Conferences, Vol. 64, Issue 1, Paper ID 01007.

MARTINS P., PRINZ G. (2024). Numerical modeling for mining dam cover infiltration design with geosynthetics: A trade-off study, E3S Web of Conferences, Vol. 97, Paper ID 19003.

MEHTA D., ACHOUR B., PASTAGIA J., AZAMATHULLA H., VERMA S. (2023). Review of reservoir operation, Larhyss Journal, No 56, pp. 193-214.

MEZENNER N., BENKACI T., BERMAD A., DECHEMI N. (2022). Dam reservoir operation optimization using genetic algorithm and principal component analysis simulation model - case of dam Ghrib reservoir, Larhyss Journal, No 51, pp. 145-160.

MOHAJERI S.H., AFSHARIMOGHADAM H., BARATI R. (2024). Efficacy of advanced seepage mitigation techniques in earth dams: A case study of Shahid Yaghoubi and Maloo Dams, Journal of Hydraulics, Vol. 58, Issue 4, pp. 210–222.

NORDIN N.F.M., MOHAMAD H., ALARIFI H. (2021). Numerical modeling of seepage analysis using SEEP/W: A case study for the Kerian River Flood Mitigation Project, IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, Vol. 1101, Issue 1, Paper ID 012007.

OH W.T., VANAPALLI S.K. (2020). Slope stability analysis of Champlain Sea clay deposits using SEEP/W and SLOPE/W, Mechanics of Unsaturated Soils, Vol. 34, Issue 1, pp. 134–147.

PAIVA G.R., FARIAS R., PARANHOS H., DIAS R.A.F. (2019). Evaluation of the containment curtain staking influence on underground water flow through the Seep/W software utilization, Sustainability Issues in Water Management, Vol. 35, Issue 2, pp. 178–185.

PAIVA G.R., FARIAS R., PARANHOS H., DIAS R.A.F. (2019). Evaluation of containment curtain staking influence on underground water flow through SEEP/W software utilization, Sustainability Issues in Water Management, Vol. 31, Issue 2, pp. 156–163.

PAULO MONTEIRO J. COSTA MANUEL S. (2004). Dams’ groundwater modelling and water management at the regional scale in a coastal mediterranean area (the southern Portugal region – Algarve), Larhyss Journal, No 3, pp. 157-169.

REMINI B. (2018). The foggaras of the oasis of Ghardaia (Algeria): the sharing of flood waters, Larhyss Journal, No 36, pp. 157-178. (In French)

REMINI B. (2020a). Oued M’Zab's I.R.S development population and floods, life in harmony Part 1: hydraulic structures, Larhyss Journal, No 42, pp. 63-95.

REMINI B. (2020b). Oued M’Zab's I.R.S development population and floods, life in harmony Part 2: Design and operation, Larhyss Journal, No 42, pp. 145-166.

REMINI B. (2020c). Oued M’Zab's I.R.S development population and floods, life in harmony Part 3: The genius of floodwater sharing, Larhyss Journal, No 42, pp. 179-207.

REMINI B. (2020d). When Oasian genius tamps the floods: ancestral development I.R.S of Touzouz (M’Zab valley, Algeria), Larhyss Journal, No 41, pp. 261-295. (In French)

REMINI B. (2023). Flash floods in Algeria, Larhyss Journal, No 56, pp. 267-307.

SALEH L.A. (2018). Studying the seepage phenomena under a concrete dam using SEEP/W and artificial neural network models, IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, Vol. 433, Issue 1, Paper ID 012029.

SHAIKH A.F., BHIRUD Y.L., MORE S.B., PAWAR A.D., VAIDYA O.V. (2024). Comparative analysis of optimization algorithms for reservoir operations: a case study on Ukai dam, Larhyss Journal, No 58, pp. 179-196.

TALEB H.A., CHARRAK H. (2025). Comparative analysis of horizontal and pipe drains in earth dams: Optimizing seepage control and stability, Environmental Earth Sciences, Vol. 99, Issue 7, pp. 245–252.

TRIVEDI M., SURYANARAYANA T.M.V. (2023). An assessment of optimal operation policies for a reservoir using particle swarm optimization, Larhyss Journal, No 56, pp. 107-121.

VERMA S., SAHU R.T., PRASAD A.D., VERMA M.K. (2023). Reservoir operation optimization using ant colony optimization a case study of Mahanadi reservoir project complex Chhattisgarh – India, Larhyss Journal, No 53, pp. 73-93.

YUSOF M.K.T.M., RASHID A.S.A., LAT D.C. (2025). Slope stability assessment under the effect of antecedent rainfall: A case study at Teluk Bahang Penang, Jurnal Teknologi, Vol. 85, Issue 3, pp. 225–238.

ZEDAN A.J., FARIS M.R. (2017). Seepage analysis through an earth dam (Khasa-Chai Dam) as a case study, Engineering and Technology Journal, Vol. 35, Issue 1, pp. 67–74.

ZEDAN A.J., FARIS M.R. (2017). Seepage analysis through the Khasa-Chai Dam as a case study, Engineering and Technology Journal, Vol. 35, Issue 4, pp. 167–174.

ZEGAIT R., PIZZO H.S. (2023). Flood control reservoir using VBA simulation case of Idles basin in southern Algeria, Larhyss Journal, No 53, pp. 41-60.

ZIAGHARIB A. (2024). Validation of a sulfide soil landfill numerical model using SEEP/W software, Proceedings of the XVIII European Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 26-30 August, Lisbon, Portugal, Vol. 22, Issue 1, pp. 152–158.

ZIAGHARIB A. (2024). Optimized landfill cover to prevent oxidation in disposed sulfide soil, Waste Management, 26-30 August, Lisbon, Portugal, Vol. 22, Issue 6, pp. 1345–1352.


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.