Earthen Dam Grouting
WATER SEEPAGE THROUGH EARTHEN DAMS REQUIRE INVESTIGATION TO LOCATE THE SOURCE OFLEAKS AND DETERMINE CORRECTIVE METHODS OF REPAIR. LINCOLN COMPANY REGULARLY CONSULTS WITH ENGINEERS, CONTRACTORS, AND OWNERS ABOUT DEVELOPING THE BEST SOLUTIONS FOR EARTHEN DAM REPAIRS.
- SEAL EARTHEN DAM LEAKS
- EARTHEN DAM WATER LOSS
- WATER SEEPAGE EARTHEN DAMS
- EARHTEN DAM WATER LOSS
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Earthen dam grouting typically deals with Water Cut-Off to control water seepage through earthen dams at the base, or toe of the structure. Leaking usually occurs through permeable layers of soil in the dam and occasionally around the circumference of buried structures within the dam. Such problematic areas are sometimes located using an energized underground current devices and dye testing. Once flow paths are located, a grouting program can be developed and implemented to seal dam leaks.
A dam embankment is typically constructed of a strong clay material, very dense and mechanically compacted in place. The upper pond or reservoir may have a clay bottom and sides as well as the actual core and face of the dam embankment. Residual fill materials are found at the backside of the dam in support of the directional pressure on the embankment from the front side. The weight and volume of the dam materials must be sufficient to provide a strong “heal” for the core and face of the dam.
If water breaches the core through it can easily permeate laterally through the backside or toe of the embankment. This results in heavy saturation as the poorly compacted residual fill material absorbs moisture. As water flows through the material, it carries along with it fine silts that eventually deposit themselves in the pathways, thus “plugging” random channels subsequently forging the water to push laterally out in a fan-like formation. This dispersion of water within the backside embankment causes increased pressure within the core of the dam due to its pressured restriction due to silt deposits. Over time, the material weakens from the increased moisture.
To determine the corrective measures needed to seal leaking earthen dams, an investigative evaluation is recommended. Investigation documents should include information about the structures design, construction methods, history and soil. Soil borings should include types, density, moisture content, and sieve analysis. Following the locating of the flow paths a feasibility study is begun to evaluate possible corrective methods to seal earthen dam leaks.
NOTE: Earthen dams require regular inspection and maintenance for other contributing natural hazards such as erosion, vermin tunneling such as ground hogs, muskrats and beavers. Tunneling vermin’s burrows can be sealed permanently by filling the vermin’s tunnels and dens around the earthen dam with a cement bentonite slurry grout. This is done with careful restrictions in place for protection of the species.