Numerical Analysis on Seepage through Earthen Embankment Protected by Cement Concrete Block (CC Block) in Bangladesh

M. A. Alim^1, and M. L. Rahman¹

¹Department of Civil Engineering, Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology, Rajshahi, Bangladesh

Cite this paper:
M. A. Alim and M. L. Rahman. Numerical Analysis on Seepage through Earthen Embankment Protected by Cement Concrete Block (CC Block) in Bangladesh. American Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture. 2016; 4(5):181-188. doi: 10.12691/ajcea-4-5-5

Abstract

Flood submerges vast areas of Bangladesh every year. To protect agricultural lands and city areas from submergence due to flood, earthen embankments are provided. However, earthen embankments in Bangladesh are subjected to seepage and erosion. To protect embankments from seepage and erosion-Cement Concrete Blocks (CC Blocks) are usually provided. Provision of CC Blocks reduce erosion but cannot prevent seepage completely, which is one of the main causes of failure of earthen embankments in Bangladesh. In this study, five sections of Rajshahi City Protection Embankment (RCPE) are selected which are subjected to seepage and erosion during rainy seasons because they are not properly protected. Seepage analysis using Geo-Studio Software indicates that seepage through RCPE can be prevented completely, if the upstream surface of the embankment is protected by CC Blocks with joints between CC Blocks that are sealed properly.

Keywords:
earthen embankment seepage Cement Concrete Block (CC Block) Rajshahi City Protection Embankment (RCPE)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

References:

[1]	Amanullah, (1989). “A study on Flood Control Embankment in Bangladesh”. Department of Water Resources Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
[2]	Das, M. B. (1998), “Principles of Geotechnical Engineering”. PWS Publishing crop, USA, 7th edition, p215.
[3]	Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC). (2005, 3011, 2012, 2013, and 2014) Annual Flood Report, BWDB.
[4]	Hossain, A. N. H. A., (2004) “Flood Management: Issues and Options”. Presented in the International Conference Organized by Institute of Engineers, Bangladesh.
[5]	Hossain, M. B., Saki, T., and Hossain, M. Z. (2011) “River Embankments and Bank Failure: A Study on Geotechnical Characteristics and Stability Analysis”. American Journal of Environmental Sciences, Vol. 7 (2), pp102-107.
[6]	Islam, M. S., Nasrin, S., Islam, M. S., and Moury, F. R. (2013) “Use of Vegetation and Geo-Jute in Erosion Control of Slopes in a Sub-Tropical climate”. Proceedings of International Journal of Civil, Environment, Structural, Construction and Architectural Engineering, Vol:7, No:1, pp54-62.
[7]	Monir, M. M. U., and Khan, Y. A. (2004) “Seasonal Potential Seepage Analysis of Rajshahi City Protection Embankment, Rajshahi, Bangladesh”. Proceedings of Ninth international symposium on river sedimentation, October 18-21,2004, China, pp1659-1665.
[8]	Schneider, S., Mallants, D., and Jacques, D. (2012) “Determining hydraulic properties of concrete and mortar by inverse modelling”. Material Resources Society, Vol. 1475, pp367-372.