Flow Nets

k
h
x
k
h
z
H V
c
c
c
c
2
2
2
2
0 + =
For a homogeneous soil
For an isotropic soil
c
c
c
c
2
2
2
2
0
h
x
h
z
+ =
Laplace Equation
Laplace Equation -1 D solution
The 1D solution of the Laplace equation the simplest
Boundary Value Problem. Now consider the case of only the
vertical flow exists, then the Laplace equation is simplified to

0
2
2
=
z
h
c
c
The solution of this equation is easy to get by having a
integration of h with respect to z twice
0
2
2
=
z
h
c
c
1
tant A cons
z
h
= =
c
c
2 1
A z A h + =
Laplace Equation -1 D solution
The constants A
1
and A
2
can be determined by the boundary
conditions. For soil 1


Condition 1: h= h
1
at z =0
Condition 2: h= h
2
at z =H
1


( )
1
1
1 2
h z
H
h h
h +

=
1
0 H z for s s
Laplace Equation -1 D solution
For soil 2


Condition 1: h= h
2
at z = H
1

Condition 2: h= 0 at z =H
1
+

H
2


|
|
.
|

\
|
+ +
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
2
1
2
2
2
1
H
H
h z
H
h
h
2 1 1
H H z H for + s s
Laplace Equation -1 D solution
From the continuity of flow q
1
= q
2
= q

A
H
h
k A
H
h h
k q
|
|
.
|

\
|

=
|
|
.
|

\
|

=
2
2
2
1
2 1
1
0
or
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
=
2
2
1
1
1
1 1
2
H
k
H
k
H
k h
h
Laplace Equation -1 D solution
Substituting for h
2
in equation of head for soil 1
( )
1
1
1 2
h z
H
h h
h +

=
We obtain
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
=
1 2 2 1
2
1
1
H k H k
z k
h h
Now we can predict the head in soil 1 if we know the hydraulic
conductivities in soil 1 and soil 2
1
0 H z for s s
Laplace Equation -1 D solution
Now for soil 2
Substituting for h
2
We obtain
( )
(

+
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
= z H H
H k H k
k
h h
2 1
1 2 2 1
1
1
Now we can predict the head in soil 2 if we know the hydraulic
conductivities in soil 1 and soil 2
2 1 1
H H z H for + s s
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ +
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
2
1
2
2
2
1
H
H
h z
H
h
h
Flow Net for One Dimensional Flow
Seepage is defined as the flow of a fluid,
usually water, through a soil under a
hydraulic gradient.
10
concrete dam
impervious strata
soil
Stream line is simply the path of a water molecule.
datum
h
L

TH = 0 TH = h
L

From upstream to downstream, total head steadily decreases
along the stream line.
Equipotential line is simply a contour of constant
total head.
concrete dam
impervious strata
soil
datum
h
L

TH = 0 TH = h
L

TH=0.8 h
L

A network of selected stream lines and equipotential lines.
concrete dam
impervious strata
soil
curvilinear
square
90
Flow through a Dam
Drainage
blanket
Phreatic line
Unsaturated
Soil
Flow of water
c
c
c
c
2
2
2
2
0
h
x
h
z
+ =
z
x
Graphical representation of solution
1. Equipotentials Lines of constant head, h(x,z)
Equipotential (EP)
Phreatic line
Flow line (FL)
2. Flow lines Paths followed by water particles -
tangential to flow
Graphical representation of solution
Equipotential (EP)
Properties of Equipotentials
h(x,z) = constant (1a)
Flow line (FL)
Equipotential (EP)
h(x,z) = constant (1a)
c
c
c
c
h
x
dx
h
z
dz + = 0
Thus: (1b)
Properties of Equipotentials
Flow line (FL)
Equipotential (EP)
h(x,z) = constant (1a)
c
c
c
c
h
x
dx
h
z
dz + = 0
Thus: (1b)
Equipotenial slope
dz
dx
h x
h z
EP

(
=
c c
c c
/
/
(1c)
Properties of Equipotentials
Flow line (FL)
Equipotential (EP)
Az
Ax
Geometry
v
z
v
x
Kinematics
Properties of Flow Lines
From the geometry (2b)






dx
dz
v
v
FL
x
z

(
=
Flow line (FL)
Equipotential (EP)
Az
Ax
Geometry
v
z
v
x
Kinematics
Properties of Flow Lines
From the geometry (2b)


Now from Darcys law



dx
dz
v
v
FL
x
z

(
=
v k
h
x
x
=
c
c
v k
h
z
z
=
c
c
Flow line (FL)
Equipotential (EP)
Az
Ax
Geometry
v
z
v
x
Kinematics
Properties of Flow Lines
From the geometry (2b)


Now from Darcys law


Hence (2c)
dx
dz
v
v
FL
x
z

(
=
v k
h
x
x
=
c
c
dx
dz
h x
h z
FL

(
=
c c
c c
v k
h
z
z
=
c
c
Flow line (FL)
Equipotential (EP)
Orthogonality of flow and equipotential lines
dz
dx
h x
h z
EP

(
=
c c
c c
/
/
dx
dz
h x
h z
FL

(
=
c c
c c
On an equipotential
On a flow line
Flow line (FL)
Equipotential (EP)
Orthogonality of flow and equipotential lines
dz
dx
h x
h z
EP

(
=
c c
c c
/
/
dx
dz
h x
h z
FL

(
=
c c
c c
On an equipotential
On a flow line
Hence
dx
dz
dx
dz
FL EP

(
= 1 (3)
Flow line (FL)
Equipotential (EP)
AQ
X
y
z
t
T
Y
Z
X
FL
FL
Geometric properties of flow nets
AQ
h
h+Ah
h+2Ah
EP
AQ
X
y
z
t
T
Y
Z
X
FL
FL
v
Q
yx
=
A
(4a)
From the definition of flow
Geometric properties of flow nets
AQ
h
h+Ah
h+2Ah
EP
AQ
X
y
z
t
T
Y
Z
X
FL
FL
v
Q
yx
=
A
v k
h
zt
=
A
(4a)
(4b)
From the definition of flow
From Darcys law
Geometric properties of flow nets
AQ
h
h+Ah
h+2Ah
EP
AQ
X
y
z
t
T
Y
Z
X
FL
FL
v
Q
yx
=
A
v k
h
zt
=
A
A
A
Q
k h
yx
zt
=
(4a)
(4b)
(4c)
From the definition of flow
From Darcys law
Combining (4a)&(4b)
Geometric properties of flow nets
AQ
h
h+Ah
h+2Ah
EP
AQ
X
y
z
t
T
Y
Z
X
FL
FL
v
Q
yx
=
A
v k
h
zt
=
A
A
A
Q
k h
yx
zt
=
A
A
Q
k h
YX
ZT
=
(4a)
(4b)
(4c)
(4d)
From the definition of flow
From Darcys law
Combining (4a)&(4b)
Similarly
Geometric properties of flow nets
AQ
h
h+Ah
h+2Ah
EP
AQ
X
y
z
t
T
Y
Z
X
FL
FL
v
Q
yx
=
A
v k
h
zt
=
A
A
A
Q
k h
yx
zt
=
A
A
Q
k h
YX
ZT
=
(4a)
(4b)
(4c)
(4d)
From the definition of flow
From Darcys law
Combining (4a)&(4b)
Similarly
Geometric properties of flow nets
AQ
h
h+Ah
h+2Ah
EP
Conclusion
yx
zt
YX
ZT
=
(5)
AQ
a
b
c
d
D
B
C
A
h
h h + A
Geometric properties of flow nets
FL
AQ
EP( h )
EP ( h + Ah )
v
Q
cd
=
A
(6a)
From the definition of flow
AQ
a
b
c
d
D
B
C
A
h
h h + A
Geometric properties of flow nets
FL
AQ
EP( h )
EP ( h + Ah )
v
Q
cd
=
A
v k
h
ab
=
A
(6a)
(6b)
From the definition of flow
From Darcys law
AQ
a
b
c
d
D
B
C
A
h
h h + A
Geometric properties of flow nets
FL
AQ
EP( h )
EP ( h + Ah )
v
Q
cd
=
A
A
A
Q
k h
cd
ab
=
v k
h
ab
=
A
A
A
Q
k h
CD
AB
=
(6a)
(6b)
(6c)
(6d)
From the definition of flow
From Darcys law
Similarly
Combining (6a)&(6b)
AQ
a
b
c
d
D
B
C
A
h
h h + A
Geometric properties of flow nets
FL
AQ
EP( h )
EP ( h + Ah )
v
Q
cd
=
A
A
A
Q
k h
cd
ab
=
v k
h
ab
=
A
A
A
Q
k h
CD
AB
=
(6a)
(6b)
(6c)
(6d)
From the definition of flow
From Darcys law
Similarly
Combining (6a)&(6b)
Conclusion
cd
ab
CD
AB
=
AQ
a
b
c
d
D
B
C
A
h
h h + A
Geometric properties of flow nets
FL
AQ
EP( h )
EP ( h + Ah )
When drawing flow nets by hand it is most
convenient to draw them such that

Each flow tube carries the same flow AQ
The head drop between adjacent EPs, Ah, is
the same

Then the flow net is comprised of
SQUARES
Geometric properties of flow nets
Geometric properties of flow nets
Demonstration of square rectangles with inscribed circles
Drawing Flow Nets
To calculate the flow and pore pressures in the
ground a flow net must be drawn.

The flow net must be comprised of a family of
orthogonal lines (preferably defining a square
mesh) that also satisfy the boundary conditions.
Water
Datum
H-z
z
H
(7)
Common boundary conditions
a. Submerged soil boundary - Equipotential
h
u
z
w
w
= +

Water
Datum
H-z
z
H
(7)
Common boundary conditions
a. Submerged soil boundary - Equipotential
h
u
z
now
u H z
w
w
w w
= +
=

( )
Water
Datum
H-z
z
H
(7)
Common boundary conditions
a. Submerged soil boundary - Equipotential
h
u
z
now
u H z
so
h
H z
z H
w
w
w w
w
w
= +
=
=

+ =




( )
( )
Permeable Soil
Flow Line
v
n
=0
v
t
Impermeable Material
Common boundary conditions
b. Impermeable soil boundary - Flow Line
Mark all boundary conditions

Draw a coarse net which is consistent with the
boundary conditions and which has orthogonal
equipotentials and flow lines. (It is usually easier to
visualise the pattern of flow so start by drawing the
flow lines).

Modify the mesh so that it meets the conditions
outlined above and so that rectangles between
adjacent flow lines and equipotentials are square.

Refine the flow net by repeating the previous step.
Value of head on equipotentials
Phreatic line
A h
H
Number of potential drops
= (9)
Datum
15 m
h = 15m
h = 12m
h = 9m
h = 6m
h = 3m
h = 0
For a single Flow tube of width 1m: AQ = k Ah (10a)
Calculation of flow
Phreatic line
15 m
h = 15m
h =12m
h = 9m
h = 6m
h = 3m
h = 0
For a single Flow tube of width 1m: AQ = k Ah (10a)
For k = 10
-5
m/s and a width of 1m AQ = 10
-5
x 3 m
3
/sec/m (10b)
Calculation of flow
Phreatic line
15 m
h = 15m
h =12m
h = 9m
h = 6m
h = 3m
h = 0
For a single Flow tube of width 1m: AQ = k Ah (10a)
For k = 10
-5
m/s and a width of 1m AQ = 10
-5
x 3 m
3
/sec/m (10b)
For 5 such flow tubes Q = 5 x 10
-5
x 3 m
3
/sec/m (10c)
Calculation of flow
Phreatic line
15 m
h = 15m
h =12m
h = 9m
h = 6m
h = 3m
h = 0
For a single Flow tube of width 1m: AQ = k Ah (10a)
For k = 10
-5
m/s and a width of 1m AQ = 10
-5
x 3 m
3
/sec/m (10b)
For 5 such flow tubes Q = 5 x 10
-5
x 3 m
3
/sec/m (10c)
For a 25m wide dam Q = 25 x 5 x 10
-5
x 3 m
3
/sec (10d)
Calculation of flow
Phreatic line
15 m
h = 15m
h =12m
h = 9m
h = 6m
h = 3m
h = 0
For a single Flow tube of width 1m: AQ = k Ah (10a)
For k = 10
-5
m/s and a width of 1m AQ = 10
-5
x 3 m
3
/sec/m (10b)
For 5 such flow tubes Q = 5 x 10
-5
x 3 m
3
/sec/m (10c)
For a 25m wide dam Q = 25 x 5 x 10
-5
x 3 m
3
/sec (10d)
Calculation of flow
Phreatic line
15 m
h = 15m
h =12m
h = 9m
h = 6m
h = 3m
h = 0
Q k
H
N
N
h
f
=
Note that per metre width
(10e)
P
5m
h
u
z
w
w
= +

(11a)
Calculation of pore pressure
Phreatic line
P
5m
Pore pressure from
15 m
h = 15m
h = 12m
h = 9m
h = 6m
h = 3m
h = 0
P
5m
h
u
z
w
w
= +

(11a)
u
w w
= [ ( )] 12 5
(11b)
Calculation of pore pressure
Phreatic line
P
5m
Pore pressure from
At P, using dam base
as datum
15 m
h = 15m
h = 12m
h = 9m
h = 6m
h = 3m
h = 0
57
58
59