Analysis of Seepage Flow and Hydraulic Gradient in the Body and Foundation of Alavian Earth Dam

Dams, as man-made artificial structures, play a significant role in providing water in various sectors, including agriculture, industry, electricity generation, and flood control. Various soil compounds such as sand, clay, and stone are used for the construction and establishment of earth dams. In this research entitled "Investigation and analysis of Seepage flow and hydraulic gradient in the body and foundation of Alaviyan earth dam using SEEP/W software", the effects of Seepage flow and hydraulic gradient in the body and foundation are investigated. This research analyzes the details of this process using SEEP/W software and analyzes the obtained results. Theoretical foundations related to Seepage flow and hydraulic gradient in earth dams and their importance in the stability of dams are discussed as one of the most important issues of civil engineering. Methods of controlling water seepage from earth dams include the use of seals, walls made with grout mortar, impermeable cores, metal shielding, and impermeable blankets upstream of the dam. In this study, drains, seals, and clay blankets are used as water seepage control methods. The results show that the use of a watertight wall reduces the amount of Seepage because this wall prevents water from flowing through the body of the dam. In general, this research ends by providing quantitative results and recommendations to improve the stability of dams and reduce the possibility of risks caused by seepage flow and hydraulic gradient, and the important elements that should be considered in the design and construction of earth dams. Reviews. In this study, the effects and performance of earth dams have been investigated using finite element methods, and the performance of dams has been evaluated. GEOSTUDIO finite element software was used for modeling. The results of modeling include the investigation of parameters such as phreatic lines, the effect of the water level behind the dam, the clay blanket, and the water seal. Also, the leakage rate from the dam has been extracted and analyzed for different states defined in the model.