Probabilistic Seepage Analysis of Embankments with Different Types of Random Fields

Probabilistic approaches based on reliability analysis have been developed considerably for carrying out dam risk analysis studies in the last years. The random field (RF) theory and Monte Carlo simulation (MCs) are widely used in geotechnical engineering which considers the numerical model with soil spatial variability, and some studies use this method in seepage analysis with RFs. In this study, probabilistic analysis of seepage through a dam was performed. The traditional deterministic seepage analysis method was extended to develop a probabilistic approach that accounts for the spatial variation of the permeability. The analysis of the variability of seepage in an earth dam will be analyzed in different types of random fields: classical stationary RFs, conditional RFs (to consider the position of available measurements), and nonstationary RFs (to consider the mean variation with depth). The numerical model will consider the random fields (RFs) of permeability. The three mentioned types of RFs are all implemented in the same Finite Element software named OptumG2. This article will also compare these three types of RFs according to the effect of the different result parameters of seepage analysis of hydraulic gradient.

Keywords: embankment, seepage analysis, spatial variability, conditional random fields, nonstationary random fields.