Effect of upstream and downstream sheet piles inclination on the seepage properties under hydraulics structures

This thesis is investigated to study the effect of using upstream and downstream sheet pile in a homogeneous soil layer on seepage, uplift pressure, and exit gradient at the toe of a hydraulic structure using the computer program SEEP/W. Depending on the software program, tests were performed with three different values of each of the following parameters: upstream sheet pile length, downstream sheet pile length, angle of inclination for the first and second sheet piles, upstream head, and constant distance between the two sheet piles. The amount of seepage, exit gradient, and uplift pressure at the toe of the hydraulics structure were determined for each test. Using SPSS software, an empirical equation is developed based on the results of these runs to determine the quantity of seepage at the toe of the hydraulic structure. As well as, verify the SEEP/W results and the recommended equation with a physical model. The verification shows that the difference in discharge and uplift pressure at the toe of the hydraulic structure is less than 4% and 7%, respectively.