Mechanistic model for self-healing of core cracks in earth dams

Sai Prasad Kakuturu, Lakshmi N. Reddi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper describes a mechanistic model developed to understand the self-healing mechanism of two types of cracks in impervious cores of earth dams; Type A core cracks which extend from the interior of the core to the downstream filter, and Type B core cracks which extend from the upstream face of the core to the downstream filter. The base soil-crack-filter system is idealized using a four-element one-dimensional continuum to consider various processes in the core and the filter. The model is numerically implemented to predict self-healing in the idealized domain. The model predictions are validated using results from experimental investigations. A parametric study conducted with the model indicates two conditions essential to foster self-healing: a nominal erosion of the base soil, and a seepage velocity in the filter that is less than its critical seepage velocity. This study suggests that the mechanism leading to different rates of self-healing is the interplay of several parameters, viz, characteristics of base soils and filters, geometrical features of cracks, hydraulic conditions, etc. Application of the one-dimensional mechanistic model to a three-dimensional field-scale scenario is demonstrated.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)890-901
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume132
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1 2006

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology
  • General Environmental Science

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