Equation Development for Predicting Phreatic Line in Silty Clay Soils under Groundwater Inundation

Abstract

The threat of rising groundwater inundation, estimated by the elevation of the water table above the ground surface, is highly impacting various infrastructure Components. That issue can potentially damage Critical infrastructure elements such as foundations of buildings, bridges, roads, and other essential aspects. This problem will intensify when it is linked to the growing frequency of severe weather events and alterations in land use, which increases groundwater withdrawals. Among others, the important goal is to understand groundwater inundation and its effects on infrastructures (footings and soil), find methodologies for vulnerability evaluation and damage mitigation, and highlight the significant challenges and opportunities for future research. A laboratory model was constructed to simulate the actual conditions. A seepage of high-water level through Silty Clay Soil was tested to determine an equation of a phreatic line in such homogenous soil. A unitless relationship was estimated to represent the equation of the parabolic curve of the phreatic line ( Y²/H² = 1-X/L), and it was successfully applied after being tested statistically in two methods (1) R² formula (0.97–0.99); (2)RMSE method (average 0.69), (0–1). To track the change in parameters, the following two parameters were taken in the analysis: 1- Type of soil (silty clay soil) 2- Height of water table.