İMÜ331 – Soil Mechanics I

SEEPAGE
FLOW NETS
Flow Nets
For solution of practical seepage problems Laplacian Equation must be solved for the relavenet
boundary conditions. This can be done by finite element method or finite difference method or
flow nets.
!! " !! "
+ ! =0
!#! !$

A flow net is a graphical representation of flow of water through a soil mass. It is curvilinear net
formed by the combination of flow lines and equipotential lines.
Flow nets are sketched by trial and error.

Flow lines à connect pervious boundaries

Equipotential lines à connect impervious boundaries
Flow lines represents the path along which the
water will seep through the soil.
Equipotential lines are formed by connecting
points of equal total head.
Properties of Flow Nets:
Properties of Flow Nets:
• Rectangles in flow nets should be close to squares as possible.
• Start with drawing flow lines first (3 – 5 will be enough.)
• Flow through the channel between the two flow lines is constant.
• The total head is constant over an equipotential line.
• If points A&B are on the same equipotential line, they have the same energy.
Flow Net:
Flow Nets:
Nf à number of flow channels (Each flow channel carries the same amount of water)
Nd à Number of equipotential drops. Each representing the same amount of head loss.
𝑞 = 𝑁% ×∆𝑞
&
∆𝐻 =
'"

Flow through one flow channel:

∆&
∆𝑞 = 𝜈 * 𝐴 = 𝑘 * 𝑖 * 𝑙 * 1 = 𝑘 * * 𝑙 = 𝑘 * ∆𝐻
)
&
∆𝑞 = 𝑘 * '
"
&
𝑞 = 𝑁% ×∆𝑞 = 𝑁% ×𝑘× à total flow per unit time
'"
Example 1
The section through a sheet pile wall along a
tidal estuary is given in the figure. At low tide
the depth of water in front of the wall is 4.00
m; the water table behind the wall lags 2.50 m
behind tidal level. Plot the net distribution of
water pressure on the piling.
 The total head at water table level (the upstream
equipotential) is 2.50m (pressure head zero;
elevation head +2:50 m).
Example 1/Solution The total head on the soil surface in front of the
piling (the downstream equipotential) is zero
(pressure head 4.00m; elevation head -4:00 m).
There are 12 equipotential drops in the flow net.
At level 4 the total head on the back of the piling
is:
Example 1/Solution
Example 2
The section through a dam is shown in the figure. Determine the quantity of seepage under the
dam and plot the distribution of uplift pressure on the base of the dam. The coefficient of
permeability of the foundation soil is 2.5x10-5 m/s.
Example 2 / Solution
 Example 3
A river bed consists of a layer of sand 8.25 m
thick overlying impermeable rock; the depth of
water is 2.50 m. A long cofferdam 5.50 m wide
is formed by driving two lines of sheet piling
to a depth of 6.00 m below the level of the
river bed and excavation to a depth of 2.00 m
below bed level is carried out within the
cofferdam. The water level within the
cofferdam is kept at excavation level by
pumping. If the flow of water into the
cofferdam is 0.25 m3/h per unit length, what is
the coefficient of permeability of the sand?
What is the hydraulic gradient immediately
below the excavated surface?
Example 3 / Solution
You can also watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgKMWZOIy2w