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Determining Optimal Horizontal Spacing for Sand Filter in Reservoir Dams

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Abstract

Reservoir dam erosion caused by an increased seepage velocity on downstream slopes is a major concern, and zoned-type dams are commonly used to mitigate this issue. However, previous methods for calculating filter spacing have been overly conservative, focusing on short-term stability and neglecting long-term erosion risk. This study proposes a determining equation for the horizontal filter spacing in reservoir dams, considering material property variability and diverse dam construction conditions. Through comprehensive three-dimensional seepage simulations, the lateral drainage range (LDR) and hydraulic gradient were investigated as separate factors. The proposed equation aims to optimize the filter design while balancing the safety and cost considerations. Validation using a multi-horizontal filter model confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed spacing in mitigating erosion hazards. This study contributes to the improvement in dam design practices by providing a less conservative approach. These findings offer valuable insights for designing horizontal filters in reservoir dams, ensuring both short- and long-term erosion stability. Ultimately, these advancements in filter design will enhance dam stability and reduce the risk of failure.

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Acknowledgement

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the the Korea Rural Community Corporation(KRCC) for their generous support of our research. Their support in the form of data, administrative assistance, and design information was essential to the success of our project.

Funding

This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT of the Republic of Korea (Grant No. 2019R1C1C1007100) and the Basic Science Research Program of the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) and funded by the Ministry of Education (2021R1I1A1A01058373).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Environmental and Urban Engineering Department of Civil, Environmental and Applied System Engineering, Kansai University, Suita Osaka, 564-8680, Japan

    Hyuk-Kee Hong & Tetsuo Tobita

  2. Disaster Prevention Assessment Center, National Disaster Management Research Institute, Ulsan, 44538, Korea

    Young-Hak Lee

  3. Department of Bio-Industrial Machinery Engineering, Pusan National University, Miryang, 50463, Korea

    Jaesung Park

Authors
  1. Hyuk-Kee Hong
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  2. Tetsuo Tobita
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  3. Young-Hak Lee
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  4. Jaesung Park
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Young-Hak Lee or Jaesung Park.

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Hong, HK., Tobita, T., Lee, YH. et al. Determining Optimal Horizontal Spacing for Sand Filter in Reservoir Dams. Paddy Water Environ 22, 99–108 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10333-023-00955-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10333-023-00955-5

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