Plats: Lund University of Technology and via link
Tid: 09.00-11.00
Kommande
Disputation Reyhaneh Norooz

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Reyhaneh Norooz defends her thesis entitled “Monitoring techniques for dams: A study of ERT and IP measurements and modeling of seepage in the Älvkarleby test dam.”
The study is part of a Swedish research project exploring advanced geophysical techniques to detect internal erosion in embankment dams. The methods we tested are called Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) and Induced Polarization (IP). These are non-invasive techniques that work like a kind of “medical scan” for dams. Electrodes placed in and around the structure measure how easily electric currents pass through the dam materials. By analysing both resistivity and chargeability (how materials temporarily store electric charge), we can generate 3D images of the dam’s interior and gain insights into both moisture content and soil grain size—factors that are critical for assessing erosion and material integrity.
To test the effectiveness of ERT and IP in real-world conditions and compare them with other monitoring techniques, a 4 m high test embankment dam was constructed in Älvkarleby, Sweden. This dam contained six engineered defects (such as crushed rock zones and foreign material blocks) deliberately hidden within its core and filter zones. Their locations were unknown to the monitoring team, simulating the challenge of detecting unknown damage in an operational dam.
A key contribution of the thesis is the integration of geophysical data into seepage modelling. By using ERT results to improve the characterization of dam materials, seepage models could more accurately simulate water flow paths and potential leakage zones. This combined approach enhanced the ability to predict weak points and provided a stronger basis for long-term dam safety assessments.
Place for the disputation:
A-huset, Klas Anhelms väg 16, 223 62 Lund, Sweden, Lecture Hall A:C
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