SEEPAGE THROUGH SOILS (IN TWO DIRECTIONS)

Let us consider the situation when flow occurs in two directions, namely
horizontal and vertical. Look into the following figure

(through area dx.dy)

(THROUGH AREA dy.dz)

A rectangular soil element is shown with dimensions dx and dz in the

plane, and thickness dy perpendicular to this plane. Consider planar flow
into the rectangular soil element.

In the x-direction, the net amount of the water entering and leaving the
element is

Similarly in the z-direction, the net amount of the water i.e. difference
between the water inflow and outflow is
In case of steady flow there is no accumulation or depletion of water

content in the elemental soil body and hence we can say +

=0

dx.dy.dz represents the elemental volume which can’t be zero hence by

dividing dx.dy.dz , the continuity equation is expressed as

From Darcy's law, ,, where h is the head

causing flow, hence the continuity equation combined with Darcy's law,
appears

For an isotropic material in which the permeability is the same in all

directions (i.e. k x= k z), the flow equation is

This is the Laplace equation governing two-dimensional steady state flow.

It can be solved graphically, analytically, numerically, or analogically.
Out of all in undergraduate level the graphical method is best suited
whereas in experimental technique the analog system.
For the more general situation involving three-dimensional steady flow,
Laplace equation becomes

The analytical method when applied to one dimensional flow we see that
the drop of head is proportional to flow length as shown below

For one dimensional flow the Laplace equation becomes

Integrating twice the equation of head

C1 and C2 can be obtained from the boundary condition, referring the

following figure we see,

Where water is flowing through the sample from left to right with boundary
conditions at x=0 is H and after flowing through a length of L the head is
zero. So c2 = H and c1 = -H/L and hence h = H(1 – x/L) which states that
head is dissipated in a linearly uniform manner over the entire length of the
passage.