Mechanisms of massive failure for flowthrough rockfill embankments

Abstract

A modified wedge method for the analysis of the stability of a downstream slope of a flowthrough rockfill dam is presented. The results from this wedge analysis are compared with results from a conventional Bishop method of analysis, and both are compared with experimental measurements of the forces at incipient failure from model tests performed on simple granular embankments in hydraulic flumes. The proposed wedge method, based on a nonrotational failure mechanism, compared more favourably with experimental observations than did the Bishop method of analysis, based on a rotational failure mechanism. It is also concluded that the Bishop method is very conservative for the analysis of such rockfill slopes. Key words : rockfill embankment, slope failure, bursting forces, model slopes, non-Darcy flow.