Design of Aprons :

The design of the aprons which is the floor of the hydraulic structure depends
on the evaluation of the seepage phenomena risk . The seepage of water is
Water creep under hydraulic structures . The flow of ground water and its
seepage belongs to flow of fluid through porous media and it depends on
many factors , such as soil properties , flow geometry , boundary conditions ,
fluid properties and time then its possible to compute the seepage of water
from knowing the flow properties which are represented by velocity, pressure
and temperature. These properties are dependent variables , if they are
independent on time the flow is steady , if they are varying with time then
the flow is unsteady flow.

The causes of hydraulic structures failure due to the seepage are .

1-Failure of floor due to piping

2-Failure of floor due to uplift pressure

1- Failure by piping:

Water seeps under the base of the structure , the flow line emerges out
the D/S end of floor. When the exit gradient (G.e) exceeds a critical limit
for the soil , the surface soil starts boiling and is washing out away by
percolating water .

Treatments :- 1-increase the depth of sheet pile at U/S and D/S.

2-increase the length and thickness of floor

 2-Failure of floor due to uplift pressure If the uplift pressure was in
counter balance by the weight of concrete (floor) above it, the floor will fail by
damaging apart of it ;

Treatments :-

1-provide floor with sufficient length.

2-increase the thickness of floor .

3-provide pile in U/S in order to decrease the uplift pressure at D/S .

Seepage and uplift pressure :-

Number of methods are available to analyze the problem of seepage

and uplift pressure, but the most useful methods are:-

1-flow net

2-lane's weighted creep theory .

3-Bligh's creep theory.

4-khosla's method.

5-Numerical methods Finite difference ,Finite elements, finite volume

……

You should refer to undergraduate lectures to refresh your knowledge

about Lane, Bligh , Khosla methods .
 By Bligh theory the seepage length (Lw)

Lw = vertical distances +horizontal distances .

1- Safety against piping with (Bligh theory ).

The hydraulic gradient must be kept under a safe limit in order to

𝐻
ensure safety against piping . (i)or(I) hydraulic gradient, 𝐼 =
𝐿𝑊

H=the seepage value (worst case ) [no water in down stream side]
.(difference between water levels at U/S and downstream . ) Lw=total creep
length (seepage length) i(found for structure) < safe hydraulic gradient (from
table)
See examples in undergraduate lectures
 Key point :- are special points on any sheet pile at u/s or d/s and middle
of the hydraulic structure floor.
 Numerical methods in designing aprons :

Finite differences Method

The basic equation of steady state flow through porous media:

The basic equation that describes the flow of water through saturated
porous media is Dary Law:

𝑽𝒔 = 𝑲 𝒊

Where Vs Discharge velocity through porous media m/sec

K: Hydraulic conductivity m/sec

i: Hydraulic gradient –dh/dL

h: piezometric head

L: Distance along the flow line in m

 This equation represents linear relationship between discharge
velocity and hydraulic gradient

The generation of Darcy law for three dimensional flow is

𝒖 = 𝒌𝒙 𝒊𝒙

𝒗 = 𝒌𝒚 𝒊𝒚

𝒘 = 𝒌𝒛 𝒊𝒛

u,v, w represent velocity components in x,y,z directions While

kx,ky,kz are hydraulic conductivity in x, y, z directions

For incompressible flow the continuity equation for 3-D flow

𝝏𝒖 𝝏𝒗 𝝏𝒘
+ + =𝟎
𝝏𝒙 𝝏𝒚 𝝏𝒛

Substituting Darcy law in the equation

𝝏𝒉 𝝏𝒉 𝝏𝒉
𝝏(𝒌𝒙 ) 𝝏(𝒌𝒚 ) 𝝏(𝒌𝒛 )
𝝏𝒙 𝝏𝒚 𝝏𝒛
+ + =𝟎
𝝏𝒙 𝝏𝒚 𝝏𝒛

For homogenous

Kx=ky=kz=k

Then the above equation reduces to

𝝏𝟐 𝒉 𝝏𝟐 𝒉 𝝏𝟐 𝒉
𝟐
+ 𝟐
+ = 𝟎 This equation is Laplace equation
𝝏𝒙 𝝏𝒚 𝝏𝒛𝟐

In two dimensional flow the equation is

𝝏𝟐 𝒉 𝝏𝟐 𝒉
+ =𝟎
𝝏𝒙𝟐 𝝏𝒚𝟐

Boundary conditions
 When studying the seepage the boundary conditions must be
considered

1- Impermeable boundaries

In these boundaries the water can not seep through surface .These
surfaces represent stream line

2-Reservoir boundaries

These boundaries represent equipotential lines these boundaries the

head is equal to the peizometric head on permeable reservoir
boundaries.

Numerical Analysis and computer programs :

The numerical procedure may be used with high success to obtain a

real solution of complex seepage problems .

Method of explicit relaxation: The procedure consists reducing partial

differential equation near a point into an algebraic equation . Referring to
Laplace equation (2nd degree elliptical equation)

Assuming Δx is very small

𝝏𝟐 𝒉 𝒉𝟏 + 𝒉𝟑 − 𝟐𝒉𝟎
=
𝝏𝒙𝟐 𝚫𝐱 𝟐

The above representation is in horizontal direction

Similarly in vertical direction

 𝝏𝟐 𝒉 𝒉𝟐 + 𝒉𝟒 − 𝟐𝒉𝟎
=
𝝏𝒚𝟐 𝚫𝐲 𝟐

ℎ1 + ℎ2 + ℎ3 + ℎ4
ℎ𝑜 =
4

Special Cases of nodes :

a- If the point 0 is located on a line separates pervious and impervious

medias as shown :

ℎ1 + 2ℎ2 + ℎ3
ℎ𝑜 =
4
 b- When the point 0 is located at the bottom of a sheet pile.

ℎ1 + 0.5 ℎ2 + 0.5ℎ2′ + ℎ4
ℎ𝑜 =
4

Flow region and boundary conditions :

Flow region by Finite difference
c-Inclined parts or inclined sheet piles

For inclined parts the numerical representation Laplace equation should be

driven depending on the angle of inclination .

1- Inclination 270

Node 1:
 See derivation (Imp)

ℎ(𝑖,𝑗−1)−ℎ(𝑖,𝑗) ℎ(𝑖,𝑗)−ℎ(𝑖,𝑗+2)
[ ]−2[ 𝛼 ]
𝜕2 ℎ 𝛼
2
=
𝜕𝑥 2 𝛼
ℎ(𝑖,𝑗−1)−ℎ(𝑖,𝑗 )−4ℎ (𝑖,𝑗 )+4ℎ(𝑖,𝑗+2)
= 𝛼2

𝜕 2 ℎ ℎ(𝑖 − 1, 𝑗) + ℎ(𝑖 + 1, 𝑗) − 2ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗)

=
𝜕𝑦 2 𝛼2
𝝏𝟐 𝒉 𝝏𝟐 𝒉
+ =𝟎
𝝏𝒙𝟐 𝝏𝒚𝟐
ℎ(𝑖,𝑗−1)−ℎ(𝑖,𝑗 )−4ℎ (𝑖,𝑗 )+4ℎ(𝑖,𝑗+2) ℎ(𝑖−1,𝑗 )+ℎ(𝑖+1,𝑗 )−2ℎ(𝑖,𝑗)
= + =0
𝛼2 𝛼2

1
ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗) = ( ) [ℎ(𝑖 − 1, 𝑗) + ℎ(𝑖 + 1, 𝑗) + 4ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗 + 2) + ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗 − 1)
7
Node 2.

See Figure

ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗 − 2) − ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗) ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗) − ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗 + 2)

2[ 𝛼 ] − 2[ 𝛼 ]
𝜕2ℎ 2 2
=
𝜕𝑥 2 𝛼

=4ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗 − 2) + 4ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗 + 2) − 8ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗)

𝜕 2 ℎ ℎ(𝑖 − 1, 𝑗) + ℎ(𝑖 + 1, 𝑗) − 2ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗)
=
𝜕𝑦 2 𝛼2

1
ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗) = ( )[ℎ(𝑖 − 1, 𝑗) + ℎ(𝑖 + 1, 𝑗) + 4ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗 − 2) + 4ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗 + 2)]
10
Node 3

ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗 − 1) − ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗)
2 ∗ 2[ 𝛼 ]
𝜕2ℎ 2
=
𝜕𝑥 2 𝛼
𝜕 2 ℎ 8 ∗ ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗 − 1) − 8 ∗ ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗)
=
𝜕𝑥 2 𝛼2
𝜕 2 ℎ 2 ∗ ℎ(𝑖 − 1, 𝑗 + 1) − 2 ∗ ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗)
=
𝜕𝑦 2 𝛼2
𝝏𝟐 𝒉 𝝏𝟐 𝒉
+ =𝟎
𝝏𝒙𝟐 𝝏𝒚𝟐

1
ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗) = ( )[8 ∗ ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗 − 1) + 2 ∗ ℎ(𝑖 − 1, 𝑗 + 1)]
10
Node 4:
1
ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗) = ( )[8 ∗ ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗 + 2) + 2 ∗ ℎ(𝑖 + 1, 𝑗)]
10
3-Inclination 140

Drive in the same way

For Node 1
 𝜕 2 ℎ ℎ(𝑖 − 1, 𝑗) + ℎ(𝑖 + 1, 𝑗) − 2ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗)
=
𝜕𝑦 2 𝛼2
ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗 − 1) − ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗) 4 ∗ ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗) − ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗 + 2)
[ ]−[ 𝛼 ]
𝛼
𝜕2ℎ 4
=
𝜕𝑥 2 𝛼

𝜕 2 ℎ ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗 − 1) − ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗) − 16 ∗ ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗) + 16ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗 + 2)

=
𝜕𝑥 2 𝛼2

1
ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗) = ( ) [16 ∗ ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗 + 2) + ℎ(𝑖 − 1, 𝑗) + ℎ(𝑖 + 1, 𝑗) + ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗 − 1)]
19
Node 2:
1
ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗) = ( ) [16 ∗ ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗 − 2) + 16 ∗ ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗 + 2) + ℎ(𝑖 − 1, 𝑗) + ℎ(𝑖 + 1, 𝑗)]
34

Node 3:
1
ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗) = ( ) [2 ∗ 16 ∗ ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗 − 1) + 2 ∗ ℎ(𝑖 − 1, 𝑗 + 1)]
34
Node 4:
1
ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗) = ( ) [2 ∗ 16 ∗ ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗 + 2) + 2 ∗ ℎ(𝑖 + 1, 𝑗)]
34

Node 5:
1
ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗) = ( ) [2 ∗ ℎ(𝑖 − 1, 𝑗) + 16 ∗ ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗 − 2) + 16 ∗ ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗 + 2)]
34
Note: suppose 5, 6 are the last line on the impervious boundary .

Node 6:

1
ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗) = ( ) [2 ∗ ℎ(𝑖 − 1, 𝑗) + 16 ∗ ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗 − 1) + ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗 + 2)]
19

2- inclination 450

See the derivation .

i vertical, j horizontal
 Node 1.

ℎ(𝑖 − 1, 𝑗) + ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗 + 2) + ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗 − 1) + ℎ(𝑖 + 1, 𝑗)

ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗) =
4
Node 2

2ℎ(𝑖 − 1, 𝑗 + 1) + 2ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗 − 1)
ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗) =
4
Node 3

2 ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗 + 2) + 2ℎ(𝑖 + 1, 𝑗)
ℎ(𝑖, 𝑗) =
4

Examples:

Ex1:
Ex2:

d1=11m, d2=4 without thickness