Effects of foundation conditions and rainfall duration on infiltration-induced water level rise in road embankment

Abstract

Estimation of water level for the persistent situation or prior to earthquake is crucial for evaluation of seismic performance of road embankments. Numerical modeling studies and model experiments are conducted to investigate effects of condition of foundation on the water level in the embankment. Variations of rainfall intensity, rainfall duration, thickness of permeable foundation are considered. Parametric study and model experiments reveal that the thinner the foundation thickness or the smaller the foundation permeability, the higher the convergent water level and rise velocity and the lower the drop velocity of water level. This study also shows framework for evaluation of the water level by considering both the thickness of foundation and the permeability of foundation. In addition, the model experiments reveal that the shorter the rainfall duration, the lower the water level and rise velocity.