›› 2011, Vol. 25 ›› Issue (6): 44-.

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Uplifting Check and Groundwater Drawdown Design of Deep Excavations Considering Seepage

WU  Tie  hua   

  1. (Wuhan Jiangteng Railway Engineering Co. Ltd. Wuhan 430064, China)
  • Received:2011-04-26 Online:2011-12-20 Published:2012-01-15

Abstract: The seepage balance method, which is used in checking the uplift force in deep excavations, is studied based on the mechanism of seepage deformations. In this paper, this method is also compared with the classical force balance method in terms of theoretical derivation, variables and range of applicability. It is concluded that the classical force balance method often leads to a conservative solution whereas the seepage balance method results in an economical solution. It is also noted that, in the Roller Compacted Earth Dam Design Specifications (SL274-2001), the factor of safety from the resultant seepage balance method should be greater than 1.1 and should be less than the 1.5, which is the lower bound suggested in the new specifications. The suggested factor of safety values are obtained similar to the derivation of safety factors using the Simplified Bishop Method and the Swedish Method in slope stability analyses. This paper also compares the results from the seepage balance method and from other methods when estimating the groundwater drawdown in deep excavations. It is suggested that the seepage balance method results in a smaller groundwater drawdown.