For a constructionproject, it often encounter with the groundwater. Seepage can be known as the continuousmotion of water in soils, it usually cause a critical issues to the constructionin civil engineering. Seepage is the application of groundwater hydraulic andwe can find the discharge of seepage through and beneath the structure.
It willcause the uplift pressure under the structure and also the foundation andpiping failure, hence, it is very important to understand and design a seepagecontrol. Seepagecontrol is the most important consideration in the stability of dams, naturalslopes and levees. The excavations for structures, cut slopes, open-pit mines,tunnels, and shafts and side-hill fills.
It is well recognised in geotechnicalengineering practise such as dams, slopes, landslides, underground spaces andso on. It is like groundwater seepage has a great influence and effect on thedeformation and stability of soils, rocks and geotechnical structures. Seepagecontrol measures of grout and drainage curtains in the rock foundation ofconcrete dams are common problems concerned and considered by the civilengineers. Seepage control is critical for maintaining the stability and safetyof the civil engineering work in construction site. A large numberof engineering measures have been widely taken for seepage control ingeotechnical and geo-related environmental engineering practices.
Seepage flowthrough soils, rocks and geotechnical structures has a huge influence on theirstabilities and performances. Seepage control is a critical technological problemin engineering practices. Thephysical mechanisms are associated with different types of engineering measuresfor seepage control are investigated and examined from a new point of viewwithin the framework of continuum mechanics and an equation basedclassification of seepage control mechanisms is proposed according to its rolesin the mathematical models for seepage flow, included the control mechanisms bycoupled processes, boundary conditions, initial states and hydraulicproperties. The effects of each mechanism on seepage control are illustratedwith examples in hydroelectric engineering and radioactive waste disposal.
Therefore, the reasonability of classification is demonstrated. Suggestionson optimization design and performance assessment of the seepage controlsystems in geo-engineering is provided. The suggested procedure as well as thesteps taken would serve as a important guidance line for cost-effective controlof seepage flow in different types of engineering practices.
Understanding thephysical mechanisms and their corresponding numerical modelling approaches ofengineering measures for seepage control is obviously of paramount importancefor optimization design, construction, safety assessment, and operation of aseepage control system.
