Understanding Fine Particle Movement in Embankment Dams

A better understanding of this process is important for improving dam safety, especially for older dams, where decades of fine particle movement may already have affected their structure. That’s why the project Towards migration of fines inside embankment dam core was initiated.

This study is developed and performed based on laboratory experiments. The existing permeameter, a device used to measure how water flows through soil or rock, will be improved to track how fine soil particles move and how the soil structure changes. Tests will be carried out on dense soil samples to study water flow through the soil. Laboratory models at different scales will be built at Luleå University of Technology and at the Älvkarleby Laboratory.

The results will help researchers understand how the strength of the soil and the flow of water change as internal erosion develops in ageing dams. The project will also provide new knowledge for developing computer models that show how embankment dams behave under real conditions.