Stress and Displacement Study of Earth-Fill Dam in Layered and Single-Layer Models

Earth-fill dams are, more economical than the other types of dams. Materials used in these dams are mainly include different kinds of fine and coarse aggregate earth materials and their stability against the force of its own weight and in water seepage are very important. Hence, reasonably and accurate estimate of dam’s stresses and displacements are very necessary. Most of analyses are performed by using computer softwares that require accurate and realistic modeling of investigated conditions. Since earth-fill dams are constructed by layered embankment, these circumstances in modeling, should be considered. In this study, an earth-fill dam is defined and modeled in PLAXIS software, dam in various states and number of layers in the two conditions; with and without seepage; is modeled and effect of the number of layers and also shape of layers in stresses and displacements values of dam body are evaluated. Finally, obtained results are compared and the results show that considering layered modeling of earth-fill dams are more reasonable due to one layer modeling.