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Flow Net
Flow Net
Flow Net
and
Groundwater flow
pattern
Other flow nets
Flow Net Theory
Flow Net Theory
1. Streamlines and Equip. lines are .
2. Streamlines are parallel to no flow
boundaries.
3. Grids are curvilinear squares, where diagonals
cross at right angles.
4. Each stream tube carries the same flow.
Flow Net in Isotropic Soil
Portion of a flow net is shown below
Stre
am t
ube
Flow Net in Isotropic Soil
• The equation for flow nets originates from
Darcy’s Law.
n
m
q
q h1
h2
dm
dl
Flow Net in Isotropic Soil
• Flow through equipotential lines 2 and 3 is:
∆q = K(dm x 1)(∆h2/dl)
• The flow net has square grids, so the head drop is
the same in each potential drop: ∆h1 = ∆h2
• If there are nd such drops, then:
∆h = (H/n)
where, H is the total head loss between the first and
last equipotential lines.
Flow Net in Isotropic Soil
• Substitution yields:
– ∆q = K(dm x dl)(H/n)
– q = (m/n)K(dm/dl)H
Flow Net in Isotropic Soil
• Since the flow net is drawn with squares, then dm
dl, and:
q = (m/n)KH [L2T-1]
where:
– q = rate of flow or seepage per unit width
– m= number of flow channels
– n= number of equipotential drops
– h = total head loss in flow system
– K = hydraulic conductivity
Drawing Method:
1. Draw to a convenient scale the cross sections of
the structure, water elevations, and aquifer
profiles.
Ku / Kl = 1 / 50
Two Layer Flow System with Tight Silt
Below
Flow nets for seepage from one side of a channel through two different anisotropic
two-layer systems. (a) Ku / Kl = 1/50. (b) Ku / Kl = 50. Source: Todd & Bear, 1961.
Effects of Boundary Condition on
Shape of Flow Nets
Radial Flow:
Streamlines
are at right
angles to
equipotential
lines
Flow Nets: an example
• A dam is constructed on a permeable stratum
underlain by an impermeable rock. A row of sheet
pile is installed at the upstream face. If the
permeable soil has a hydraulic conductivity of 150
ft/day, determine the rate of flow or seepage under
the dam.
Flow Nets: an example
Pos it io n: A B C D E F G H I J
Dist a nc e 0 3 22 3 7 .5 50 6 2 .5 75 86 94 100
fro m
front t o e
( ft)
n 1 6 .5 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1. 2
q = (m/n) K h
= (5/17)(150)(35)
K = 6.1 x 10-4cm/sec
= 0.527 m/day
Flow Nets: the solution
• From the flow net, the total head loss, H, is 6.2 -
2.2 = 4.0 meters.
• There are 6 flow channels (m) and 21 head drops
along each flow path (n):
• Q = (KmH/n) x dam length