Geotechnical and Seepage Analysis of Khanpur Dam and Recommended Measures for its Safety

Abstract

Seepage is an important phenomenon in the Earth and Rock Filled Dams. These dams are designed to operate under a constant and steady seepage outflow. An unplanned or uncontrolled increase in the seepage may lead to degradation of the structural strength of dam and can lead to its failure.This project is aimed at the geotechnical analysis of the khanpur dam as well as its seepage analysis to determine whether the dam is safe against any unwanted or unplanned excessive seepage as well as against any deterioration of subsurface strata. The project also covers the effects of the remedial measures taken against the seepage in 2002. It also provides with an idea on what protective measures can be taken to further reduce the seepage and to support the stability of the dam.The project includes the collection of the latest data and comparison of it with the previously available data using excel to analyze the increase or decrease in the seepage from the Main Dam, Right Embankment and Left Embankment. It also includes collection of data by performing ERT on the different areas of dam to check its geotechnical stability.