The History of Seepage Technology Development

A historical timeline will be presented that describes the significant seepage-related failure case histories and how various technology developed for seepage analyses and evaluations, including potential failure modes. The history of seepage technology begins in the 1800's but accelerates in the early 1900's and through the late 1980's. Each critical milestone in the evolution of seepage technology will be identified along with key published references for the audience to perform self-learning after the webinar. Case histories to be reviewed (briefly) at the webinar include Baldwin Hills, CA (1963), Bila Disna, CZ (1918 seepage along outlet conduit), Apishapa Dam, CO (1923 cracking failure), Big Bay Dam (2004 – failure along outlet conduit), and Teton Dam, ID (1976 - internal erosion failure at dam/foundation contact). Other case histories noted on the timeline will be highlighted relative to the technology existing at the time of failure. 

Learning objectives attendees will receive from this webinar:

• Understand the significant seepage failure case histories and their contribution to the understanding and evaluation of seepage failure mechanisms.
• Understand the methods for describing and evaluating seepage potential failure modes in the practice of dam safety and dam engineering.
• Review the technical basis for the use of flow nets in seepage analyses and evaluations.
• Understand the issue of embankment dam cracking.
• Understand the basis for evaluation of existing filters or design of new filters for embankment dams.