| Author | Sridhar, K. |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no. GT-91-29 |
| Subject(s) | Dam failures--Thailand
|
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for
the degree of Master of Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. GT-91-29 |
| Abstract | A rapid build-up of the reservoir level, at Mun Bon Dam, during October 1990,
as a result of tropical rainstorms, led to concentrated leaks at two locations along
the downstream slope. The prime objective of this thesis is to consider and assess
the various mechanisms that could be postulated to explain the cause of the
"failure". Towards this purpose, the rationale behind dam design, design procedure,
and results of investigations conducted by the Royal Irrigation Department (RID),
Thailand, have been reviewed, analysed and evaluated in order to sort out those
of greatest significance in determining the cause. Several seepage analyses, employing
the Finite Element Method, have been performed to determine if a simple model
could duplicate the measured piezometric data and provide some insight into the
mechanisms that contributed to the failure . Failures, arise from unforeseen cir-cumstances or from unforeseen combinations of identified circumstances. Geophysical
survey at the dam site suggested that the leakages occurred along the meandering
and abandoned river channels constituting the foundation, which contained loose
and permeable members that were hydraulically connected. Furthermore, upon
comparing limited information on the as-placed sand filter and specified gravel
.drain material, they were found incompatible with respect to the piping criterion.
Insight into the probable cause and mechanism of failure provided by the seepage
analysis suggests that the highest hydraulic gradient, which occurred in the upstream
reaches of the filter, would not be detrimental to the stability of the horizontal
blanket drain, provided the filter and drain material met gradation specifications.
The impervious fill and random fill materials were found dispersive. However, their
respective roles in the failure incident are unknown, due to lack of information. |
| Year | 1992 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. GT-91-29 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Engineering and Technology (SET) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Geotechnical and Transportation Engineering (GT) |
| Chairperson(s) | Noppadol Phien - wej ; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Balasubramaniam, A.S. ;Honjo, Yusuke ;
Bergado, Dennes T.
|
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1992 |