Suraj Bhattarai. Use of soil cement column on dispersive soil & 3D seepage analysis of rehabilitated dam : a case study of Morasuab Dam, Thailand / Suraj Bhattarai. Master's Degree(Civil Engineering). Kasetsart University. Office of the University Library. : Kasetsart University, 2023.
Use of soil cement column on dispersive soil & 3D seepage analysis of rehabilitated dam : a case study of Morasuab Dam, Thailand / Suraj Bhattarai
Abstract:
Morasuab Dam in Thailand has undergone four seepage failures since 2012 despite of follow-up rehabilitation. Recent rehabilitation commenced in 2022 that included installation of overlapping soil-cement columns in embankment, cement grouting in foundation and recompaction along Sta 380 to Sta 485 that breached in 2019. The laboratory test of the embankment soil confirmed the presence of highly dispersive soil in the lower zone, which is one of the reason behind the dam failure due to piping formation as concluded in previous research. The pinhole test carried out on soil-cement mixture (containing mean cement content used in SCC) showed no dispersive property. This affirmatively supports the soil-cement columns ability to control dispersivity and particle erosion of embankment soil along the SCC and assists soil treated with cement could control continuation and progression phases of internal erosion. The dam monitoring data from 15 piezometers installed at 5 different sections of the dam also identified high pore-water pressure in highly pervious silty sand foundation under the embankment fill. The factor of safety against pressure head uplifting of confining soil layer was found to be above standard recommendation except at Piezometer no-3, as per the USBR. Similarly, the comparasion of dam monitoring data with 3D seepage analysis carried out for first 90 days of reservoir filling from Sta.250 to 492 m showed no unusual seepage flow or pressure change. The graphs varied at some piezometer location like Pz-2, 3, 5, 9 and 15,because of the uncertainty of permeability. The uncertaintiry of permeability indicated the cement grouting layer was more permeable at Sta. 0+300km; the silty clay foundation was less permeable at Sta. 0+300, 0+373 and 0+415km in hysteresis plot.
Kasetsart University. Office of the University Library