Internal Erosion of Zoned Earthfill Dams and Their Foundations: Commentary on the State-of-Practice

Jonathan Fannin, Maoxin Li

In the proceedings of: GeoSt. John's 2019: 72nd Canadian Geotechnical Conference

Session: Dams and Embankments

ABSTRACT: The WAC Bennett Dam is one of the largest earthfill dams in North America, and one of the most instrumented and studied dams in the world. Following the 1996 sinkhole incident, specific attention has been given to characterizing zoned materials in large embankment dams comprising materials of glacial provenance with reference to susceptibility to internal erosion. Informed by the findings of this experience, this discussion addresses recent developments in the state-of-practice for assessment of internal erosion in dam engineering. The state-of-the-art is then described, with particular focus on laboratory testing for materials characterization at the University of British Columbia where, in collaboration with BC Hydro, we are seeking to develop a mechanics-based understanding of the phenomenon. From this collective body of work, guidance is offered on the use, interpretation, and limitations of select laboratory tests to evaluate the susceptibility of zoned earthfill materials of glacial provenance to internal erosion.

RÉSUMÉ: Le barrage WAC Bennett est un des plus grands barrages de terre en Amérique du Nord et un des barrages le plus n particulière a été accordée à la caractérisation des matériaux zonés dans les grands barrages en remblai comprenant des matériaux de provenance tte discussion aborde les développements récents de l'état de la pratique en matière d'évaluation de l'érosion interne dans la construction érisation .

Access this article:
Canadian Geotechnical Society members can access to this article, along with all other Canadian Geotechnical Conference proceedings, in the Member Area. Conference proceedings are also available in many libraries.

Cite this article:
Jonathan Fannin; Maoxin Li (2019) Internal Erosion of Zoned Earthfill Dams and Their Foundations: Commentary on the State-of-Practice in GEO2019. Ottawa, Ontario: Canadian Geotechnical Society.

@article{Geo2019Paper144,author = Jonathan Fannin; Maoxin Li,title = Internal Erosion of Zoned Earthfill Dams and Their Foundations: Commentary on the State-of-Practice ,year = 2019}