A Simple Method for Calculating the Seepage from Earth Dams with Clay Core

There are various evaluation methods available for the discharge rate passing from the body of dam 1) Analytical methods, 2) Numerical methods and 3) Experimental methods. In the initial stages of dam design, it is necessary to approximately calculate the seepage and board of the project. In this research, almost 600 geometric models have been considered for embankment dam with clay core which have been solved numerically. These models have vertical and oblique cores with distinct thicknesses. additionally, the height of the water in the reservoir, the width of dam crest and the central angle of the core are among the variables subject of study. The seepage passing through the dam core has been studied for each model. Ultimately, the results of the analysis have been used to develop new approximate equations to calculate the discharge rate passage from the body of the dam. Results obtained from the approximate equations have been compared with the results from numerical simulations and the equations proposed by other researchers. The above-mentioned comparison shows that the proposed equations are capable of predicting seepage of embankment dam body with high precision. Also, an equation has been presented to calculate the seepage from the body of embankment dam with oblique core which, the passing discharge rate is a function of core angle.