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Geotechnical Evaluation of Dam Foundation with Special Reference to In Situ Permeability: A Case Study

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Abstract

Since every dam site is unique and different from the rest, special geological and geotechnical investigation for each dam is a key factor in the success of the project. The Peygham-chay is a 55 m in height is an embankment dam with a clay core that is situated to the northwest of Iran and is under construction at present. The dam is founded on a valley filled by 12 m alluvium deposits that thicknesses increase toward left abutment up to 60 m. The dam site investigated based on surface discontinuity surveying, drilled boreholes logging data, in situ and laboratory tests. Detailed and extensive surface and subsurface explorations have been carried out at the dam site to characterize the geotechnical properties of foundation. The geology of the site consists of a series of cretaceous basic lavas intrusion composed with andesite, basalt and diabase that cropped out on the right abutments and is strongly fractured due to numerous joints and faults. Permeability of fissured rock mass is strongly depends on joint properties (degree of jointing, opening, continuity, filling material and weathering). In this paper in situ permeability of foundation was evaluated based on water pressure tests (lugeon) results and secondary permeability index (SPI). The impact of water pressure on joints characteristics and consequently flow rate are investigated and considered in the results. The overall groutability of rock mass was evaluated by comparison of RQD as an index of rock jointing degree and SPI values. The results indicated that permeability of rock mass in more than 66% of the tests is very low and not required for treatment. Meanwhile in the rest of sections the construction of preferred sealing system in necessary.

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Acknowledgements

The author wish to express great tanks to the East-Azarbayjan Regional Water Authority specially Mr. Yousef Assadi, Nehad—Ab engineering consulting co. and site engineers for providing the field data.

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  1. Department of Earth Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

    Ghodrat Barzegari

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  1. Ghodrat Barzegari
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Correspondence to Ghodrat Barzegari.

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Barzegari, G. Geotechnical Evaluation of Dam Foundation with Special Reference to In Situ Permeability: A Case Study. Geotech Geol Eng 35, 991–1011 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-016-0155-y

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