Optimum Size for Clay Core of Alavian Earth Dam by Numerical Simulation

Seepage in embankment dams is one of the important factors in stability and dam’s maintenance.Core in earth dam is essential for waterproofing and controlling of seepage. Therefore, selection of propermaterials and sizes for core of earth dam are very important. Thick clay core is proper for waterproofing butbecause of low shear strength of the clay, it would be dangerous for dam’s stability. The optimal core wouldbe the core which has proper waterproofing, stability safety factor and also with economic condition. In thisstudy, the aim is to determine the optimum size for clay core of Alavian dam near Maragheh city in steady stateseepage condition. For this purposes, Geo-Studio pack is used for numerical simulation. In addition, simulationof seepage and slope stability for the built maps of the dam, 11 more models of the dam with different size ofcores were tested to find the optimum core thickness. From these models, data required for objective functionand constraints using regression techniques for seepage, hydraulic gradient and stability safety factor wereprovided. Results showed that optimized volume of the core is 35% smaller than the present core.