Abstract
A crucial issue in dam design is seepage from the dam. If water flow from dams is not adequately controlled, it can lead to problems that result in dam failure. The present study focuses on numerical modeling seepage and investigates the effects of water sealing systems on the foundation and body of an earth dam under various sustained flows. Various conditions ranging from optimal to critical have been considered in this research. The sealing elements under investigation include clay blankets, drains, and curtain grouting in the foundation. In general, the combined effects of the sealing elements, without considering their geometrical dimensions, have been studied. According to the results, a diversity in the types of flow reduction systems significantly impacts reducing flow within the dam body and foundation. Seepage discharge increases with height from the foundation floor, reaching its maximum between 38 and 46 m, and further downstream exhibits a descending trend. The combination of drains, clay blankets, and curtain grouting can, on average, reduce velocity by 83.2%, decrease seepage discharge by 15.5%, and alleviate 9.5% of the hydraulic load downstream of the dam. This combination improves hydraulics and promotes the stability of the dam.