Accuracy of SEEP/W model in predicting seepage line and flow rate through lengthy coarse ‎porous medium

Document Type : Research Paper

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Abstract

In this paper, subsurface water profiles through coarse porous medium are investigated ‎numerically and then are compared with experimental data. Numerical simulations have been ‎conducted using SEEP/W model which is based on the finite element method. Laboratory model of ‎the porous medium has 6.4m length, 0.8m width and 1m height. Crushed materials were used as ‎porous media. Modeling scenarios were conducted for different values of flow discharges and ‎three bed slopes of 0, 4 and 20.3 % and then flow profiles and discharges were computed and ‎compared with those provided form experimental. The results indicated that application of ‎SEEP/W model for simulating flow properties through coarse materials and rockfill structures do ‎not always present satisfactory outputs, wherein in most cases specifically in low slopes ‎underestimated subsurface water profiles ( seepage line) compared to observed profiles. Also ‎computed flow discharge give a different behavior depend on bed slope and kind of materials. The ‎results of numerical model showed a good agreement in steep slope comparing to low slopes. ‎

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References

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Iranian Journal of Soil and Water Research
Volume 47, Issue 2
August 2016
Pages 355-362

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