Efficacy of Advanced Seepage Mitigation Techniques in Earth Dams: A Case Study of Shahid Yaghoubi and Maloo Dams

Effective seepage management is crucial for the structural integrity and operational safety of earth dams. This paper presents a detailed evaluation of seepage control strategies implemented at the Shahid Yaghoubi and Maloo dams in Khorasan Razavi province, Iran. Our study utilizes hydrological and structural data to assess the impact of specific interventions. For this purpose, numerical analysis methods and commercial GeoStudio software have been used. At the Shahid Yaghoubi dam, the application of a geomembrane on the upstream face resulted in a ۱۵% reduction in seepage flow, while the addition of a cut-off wall downstream of the dam core led to a ۳۵% decrease in seepage. Despite these improvements, the critical hydraulic gradient in the downstream drain remained unchanged, underscoring the complexity of seepage dynamics within dam structures. Similarly, at the Maloo dam, the installation of a geomembrane and the modification of the cut-off wall height beneath the dam core achieved reductions in seepage of ۶% and ۲۵%, respectively. These results highlight the importance of tailored, site-specific adaptations in effectively managing seepage. This research provides significant insights into the optimization of seepage control measures, contributing to the development of more durable and safer earth dam structures.

کلیدواژه ها:

ایمنی سد خاکی ، کنترل تراوش ، مهندسی هیدرولیک ، کاربرد ژئوممبران ، بهینه سازی دیوار آب بند