Abstract
Centrifuge model tests were carried out to investigate the pore-water pressure response and hydraulic fracturing in embankment dams, caused by a rapid increase in the height of reservoir water during flooding. Embankment behavior at failure during flooding is discussed to consider whether sliding of soil mass, interior erosion (piping) of fill materials or exterior erosion by the action of over-flow water is the most influential factor in the failure process. Transmission of pore water pressure in the fill is associated with its permeability and the rate of reservoir filling, which is another important subject to be discussed how and to what extent it may cause such catastrophic damages. FEM unsteady saturated and unsaturated seepage analysis was conducted on the pore-pressure behavior in embankment dams before flooding to give supplementary discussions on the mechanism of seepage failure during flooding, and also to examine reliability of the test results and validity of applying the centrifuge model test on this subject.
