Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Internal Erosion in Dams: Studies and Rehabilitation

  • Research Paper
  • Published:
International Journal of Civil Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In embankment dams, filters/drain systems constitute a first line of defense against the phase of continuation of erosion. It is generally assumed by several authors that the continuation of internal erosion can be prevented using adequate granular filters in areas where important hydraulic gradients may develop. This paper addresses the most important purpose and functions of filters. Once the internal erosion process initiates, for a given load condition, and there are no effective filters stopping eroded particles along the erosion path, the occurrence of progression of internal erosion should be assessed. In zoned dams, upstream zones may assist in controlling the phase of progression of erosion, before flows became excessively large for the downstream zone to discharge safely. The limitation of the progression of internal erosion in zoned dams, potentially caused by an upstream zone can be assessed using a new test cell. This device and correspondent test results are presented and analyzed. Two case studies of dams with internal erosion problems are described. The first is an embankment dam, Lapão dam, where due to design and construction problems an internal erosion process was developed. The other is Crestuma dam, a gated structure type. Since the dam started operating, the river bed in the vicinity of the dam has been subject to frequent monitoring that evidenced progressive erosion of the protective layer. This paper presents the results of the studies undertaken in relation to the hydraulic stability of the alluvial foundation of the dam’s stilling basins and of the downstream rockfill, and the main features of the implemented solutions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

(adapted from Cedergren [5])

Fig. 2

(adapted from Redlinger [6])

Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17
Fig. 18
Fig. 19
Fig. 20
Fig. 21
Fig. 22
Fig. 23
Fig. 24

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Foster M, Fell R, Spannagle M (1998) Analysis of Embankment dam incidents. In: Report UNICIV No. R-374, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The University of New South Wales, Sydney

    Google Scholar 

  2. FEMA (2011) Filters for Embankment dams. Best practices for design and construction. Federal Emergency Management Agency, USA

    Google Scholar 

  3. ICOLD (2013) Internal erosion of existing dams, levees and dikes, and their foundations. Bulletin no. 164, vol 1: Internal erosion Processes and Engineering Assessment, International Commission on Large Dams

  4. Schmertmann JH (2001) The no-filter factor of safety against piping through sands. Judgement and Innovation, Geotechnical Special Publication No. 111, ASCE, pp 63–133

  5. Cedergren HR (1977) Seepage, drainage and flow nets, 2nd edn. Wiley, New York

  6. Redlinger CG (2014) Potential failure modes related to internal erosion (periodic assessment). Dam Safety Workshop No. 2, Aracaju, Sergipe, 19–23 May

  7. Foster M, Fell R (2000) Assessing Embankment dam filters which do not satisfy design criteria. Report UNICIV No. R-376, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The University of New South Wales, Sydney

    Google Scholar 

  8. Foster M, Fell R (2001) Assessing Embankment dam filters that do not satisfy design criteria. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 127(5):398–407

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Fell R, Wan CF, Cyganiewicz J, Foster M (2003) Time for development of internal erosion and piping in Embankment dams. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 129(4):307–314

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Sherard JL (1973) Embankment dam cracking. In: Embankment dam engineering. Hirschfeld and Poulos eds. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  11. Fry JJ (2007) Current practice and new view on granular filters. In: Assessment of the Risk of Internal Erosion of Water Retaining Structures: Dams, Dykes and Levees. Intermediate report of the European Working Group of ICOLD. Contributions to the symposium on 17–19 September 2007 in Freising, Germany. German National Committee on Large Dams (Deutsches TalsperrenKomitee e.V.), Freising

  12. Cyganiewicz J, Engemoen WO, Redlinger CG (2007) Bureau of reclamation experience with evaluating internal erosion of Embankment dams. Internal erosion of dams and theirs foundations. Taylor and Francis, Aussois (France), pp 55–64

  13. Sherard JL, Dunnigan LP (1985) Filters and leakage control in Embankment dams. In: Symposium on Seepage and Leakage from Dams and Impoundments. ASCE, pp 1–30

  14. Santos R, Caldeira L, Maranha das Neves E (2014) Laboratory test for evaluating limitation of flow during internal erosion. Geotech Test J 37(3)

  15. Santos R, Caldeira L, Maranha das Neves E (2015) Laboratory test for evaluating crack filling during internal erosion in zoned dams. Geotech Test J 38(6)

  16. Marcelino J (2004), “Observation of Lapão Dam. Its Importance in the Detection of the Accident of January 2003”. In: Proceedings of II Congresso Luso-Brasileiro de Geotecnia, Aveiro (in Portuguese)

  17. Marcelino J (2008) The importance of the observation in the safety control. Lapão Dam Example. 5° Congresso Luso-Moçambicano de Engenharia, Maputo (in Portuguese)

    Google Scholar 

  18. COBA (2005) Rehabilitation design of Lapão Dam. Execution design (in Portuguese)

  19. Melo J, Dias da Silva J, Fernandes I, Caldeira L, Miranda L (2014) Corrective measures of the river bed protection downstream a dam founded in Deep alluvia. The Case of Crestuma–Lever Dam. In: 3rd IAHR Europe Congress, Porto, Portugal, 14 a 16 de Abril de 2014, p 13

  20. Alvares Ribeiro A, Ferreira Lemos J, Moutinho Cardoso M, Maranha das Neves E (1982) The exceptional foundations of the Gated Dams of Crestuma and Coimbra. In: 14th International Congress on Large Dams, Rio de Janeiro, vol II, pp 387–404

  21. Alvares Ribeiro A (1991) Douro River. overtopped Cofferdams. In: 17th International Congress on Large Dams, Vienne, vol. IV, pp 489–495

  22. Fell R, Foster M, Cyganiewicz J, Sills G, Vroman N, Davidson R (2008) A unified method for estimating probabilities of failure of embankment dams by internal erosion and piping. (draft guidance document dated August 21, 2008). In: R.a.f.d. safety (Ed.), The University of New South Wales, URS, and US Army Corps of Engineers

Download references

Acknowledgements

The author wish to express her gratitude to Electricity of Portugal (EDP) for the permission to publish the data contained in the paper and to emphasize the work presented in this paper was only possible with the collaboration of: Santos, R., Maranha das Neves, E., Marcelino, J., Melo, J., Dias da Silva, J., Fernandes, I. and Lima, C.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Laboratory for Civil Engineering, Av. do Brasil, 101, 1900-066, Lisboa, Portugal

    Laura Caldeira

Authors
  1. Laura Caldeira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Laura Caldeira.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Caldeira, L. Internal Erosion in Dams: Studies and Rehabilitation. Int J Civ Eng 17, 457–471 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40999-018-0329-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40999-018-0329-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation