Abstract
To obtain acuurate estimation of flow transmissibility of rockfill structures, a nonlinear relationship between a hydraulic gradient and a discharge velocity of flow should be well described. Author had already developed a head loss equation of flow based on a laboratory one-dimensional permeability test of river gravel. A hydraulic mean radius of void had been effectively introduced into the head loss equation of flow to take account of an effect of rock particle size, shape and rockfill void on the hydraulic property of flow through the structure. Fifteen laboratory embankment tests using river gravel were conducted in a laboratory water flume to examine accuracy of the head loss equation of flow developed. Results of the laboratory embankment tests were tabulated, and analyzed by using a nonlinear FEM. Good comparisons of the discharge velocity, the position of free surface and the total head of flow between the measurement in the laboratory embankment test and the FEM calculation showed effectiveness as well as accuracy of the head loss equation of flow developed. Since relatively small particle size of rockfill was used in the laboratory one-dimensional permeability tests and the laboratory embankment tests, it's should be examined whether the head loss equation of flow proposed can be effectively applied to the larger rockfill.
