Stability of Earth Dam (slope)

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Earth dams must be safe against slope and foundation failure for all operating conditions. There are three generally recognized critical stages based on pore pressure condition for which the stability of the embankment should be ascertained. These three situations are

• End of construction
• Steady state seepage
• rapid state seepage.

Usually construction pore pressure reach their maximum value when the embankment reaches maximum height. After the reservoir has been filled for a long time, pore pressures are determined by steady-stage seepage conditions and may be estimated by the construction of flow net.

Rapid lowering of the reservoir produces the third critical situation, particularly for low permeable soils. Upstream slope stability may be critical for the construction or rapid draw-down condition. The downstream slope should be checked for the construction and steady-seepage condition.

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Reference: G K Publishers - GATE 2013