Filter Design: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 22:26, 28 July 2023

“Filters are placed in embankment zones, foundations, or other areas of hydraulic structures for two purposes:

"To intercept water flowing through cracks or openings in a base soil and block the movement of eroding soil particles into the filter. Soil particles are caught at the filter face, reducing the flow of water through the cracks or openings and preventing further erosion and enlargement of the cracks or openings.
"To intercept water flowing through the pores of the base soil, allowing passage of the water while preventing movement of base soil particles.^[1]

"Without filters, piping of susceptible base soils can occur when seepage gradients or pressures are high enough to produce erosive discharge velocities in the base soil. The filter zone is generally placed upstream of the discharge point where sufficient confinement prevents uplift or blowout of the filter. Drains consist of sand, gravel, or a sand and gravel mixture placed in embankments, foundations, and backfill of hydraulic structures, or in other locations to reduce seepage pressure. A drain’s most important design feature is its capacity to collect and carry water to a safe outlet at a low gradient or without pressure buildup. Drains are often used downstream of or in addition to a filter to provide outlet capacity. Combined filters and drains are commonly used. The filter is designed to function as a filter and as a drain."^[1]

“The filter design for the drainage layers and internal zoning of a dam is a critical part of the embankment design. It is essential that the individual particles in the foundation and embankment are held in place and do not move as a result of seepage forces. This is accomplished by ensuring that the zones of material meet ‘filter criteria’ with respect to adjacent materials. The criteria for a filter design is presented in Appendix B. In a zoned embankment the coarseness between the fine and coarse zones may be such that an intermediate or transitional section is required. Drainage layers should also meet these criteria to ensure free passage of water. All drainage or pervious zones should be well compacted. Where a large carrying capacity is required, a multilayer drain should be provided. Geotextiles (filter fabrics) should not be used in or on embankment dams”.^[2]

Examples

Learn more about filters and drains as they relate to outlet works

Learn about good construction practices when building a filter diaphragm

Best Practices Resources

Filters for Embankment Dams, FEMA

Seepage Analysis and Control for Dams (EM 1110-2-1901), USACE

National Engineering Handbook: Chapter 26 - Gradation Design of Sand and Gravel Filters, NRCS

Design Standards No. 13: Embankment Dams (Ch. 5: Protective Filters), USBR

Trainings

On-Demand Webinar: Filters and Drainage Systems for Embankment Dams

On-Demand Webinar: Filter Design History and a One-Step Design Process

Citations:

Revision ID: 7482
Revision Date: 07/28/2023

[NRCS-1] 1.0 ^1.1 National Engineering Handbook: Chapter 26 - Gradation Design of Sand and Gravel Filters, NRCS, 2017

[USACE-2] General Design and Construction Considerations for Earth and Rock-Fill Dams (EM 1110-2-2300), USACE, 2004

[1]

[2]

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 [[Category:Seepage Analysis and Filter Design]]
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-{| align="right" style="width:10%;" cellpadding="7"
-| [[Image:FDE4.jpg|350px|x350px|link=Filters and Drains]]
-|-
-|style="text-align:center; font-size:90%;"| Learn more about [[Filters and Drains | filters and drains]].
-|}
 “Filters are placed in embankment zones, foundations, or other areas of hydraulic structures for two purposes:
 #"To intercept water flowing through ''cracks or openings'' in a base soil and block the movement of eroding soil particles into the filter. Soil particles are caught at the filter face, reducing the flow of water through the cracks or openings and preventing further erosion and enlargement of the cracks or openings.
-#"To intercept water flowing through ''the pores'' of the base soil, allowing passage of the water while preventing movement of base soil particles.
+#"To intercept water flowing through ''the pores'' of the base soil, allowing passage of the water while preventing movement of base soil particles.<ref name="NRCS">[[National Engineering Handbook: Chapter 26 - Gradation Design of Sand and Gravel Filters | National Engineering Handbook: Chapter 26 - Gradation Design of Sand and Gravel Filters, NRCS, 2017]]</ref></br></br>
+"Without filters, piping of susceptible base [[soils]] can occur when seepage gradients or pressures are high enough to produce erosive discharge velocities in the base soil. The filter zone is generally placed upstream of the discharge point where sufficient confinement prevents uplift or blowout of the filter. Drains consist of sand, gravel, or a sand and gravel mixture placed in embankments, foundations, and backfill of hydraulic structures, or in other locations to reduce seepage pressure. A drain’s most important design feature is its capacity to collect and carry water to a safe outlet at a low gradient or without pressure buildup. Drains are often used downstream of or in addition to a filter to provide outlet capacity. Combined [[Filters and Drains|filters and drains]] are commonly used. The filter is designed to function as a filter and as a drain."<ref name="NRCS"/>
-"Without filters, piping of susceptible base [[soils]] can occur when seepage gradients or pressures are high enough to produce erosive discharge velocities in the base soil. The filter zone is generally placed upstream of the discharge point where sufficient confinement prevents uplift or blowout of the filter. Drains consist of sand, gravel, or a sand and gravel mixture placed in embankments, foundations, and backfill of hydraulic structures, or in other locations to reduce seepage pressure. A drain’s most important design feature is its capacity to collect and carry water to a safe outlet at a low gradient or without pressure buildup. Drains are often used downstream of or in addition to a filter to provide outlet capacity. Combined [[Filters and Drains|filters and drains]] are commonly used. The filter is designed to function as a filter and as a drain." <ref name="NRCS">[[National Engineering Handbook: Chapter 26 - Gradation Design of Sand and Gravel Filters | National Engineering Handbook: Chapter 26 - Gradation Design of Sand and Gravel Filters, NRCS, 2017]]</ref>
+“The filter design for the drainage layers and internal zoning of a dam is a critical part of the embankment design. It is essential that the individual particles in the foundation and embankment are held in place and do not move as a result of seepage forces. This is accomplished by ensuring that the zones of material meet ‘filter criteria’ with respect to adjacent materials. The criteria for a filter design is presented in Appendix B. In a zoned embankment the coarseness between the fine and coarse zones may be such that an intermediate or transitional section is required. Drainage layers should also meet these criteria to ensure free passage of water. All drainage or pervious zones should be well compacted. Where a large carrying capacity is required, a multilayer drain should be provided. Geotextiles (filter fabrics) should not be used in or on embankment dams”.<ref name="USACE">[[General Design and Construction Considerations for Earth and Rock-Fill Dams (EM 1110-2-2300) | General Design and Construction Considerations for Earth and Rock-Fill Dams (EM 1110-2-2300), USACE, 2004]]</ref>
-“The filter design for the drainage layers and internal zoning of a dam is a critical part of the embankment design. It is essential that the individual particles in the foundation and embankment are held in place and do not move as a result of seepage forces. This is accomplished by ensuring that the zones of material meet ‘filter criteria’ with respect to adjacent materials. The criteria for a filter design is presented in Appendix B. In a zoned embankment the coarseness between the fine and coarse zones may be such that an intermediate or transitional section is required. Drainage layers should also meet these criteria to ensure free passage of water. All drainage or pervious zones should be well compacted. Where a large carrying capacity is required, a multilayer drain should be provided. Geotextiles (filter fabrics) should not be used in or on embankment dams”.<ref name="USACE">[[General Design and Construction Considerations for Earth and Rock-Fill Dams (EM 1110-2-2300) | EM 1110-2-2300 General Design and Construction Considerations for Earth and Rock-Fill Dams, USACE, 2004]]</ref>
 ==Examples==
-{{Website Icon}} [[Filters and Drains | Learn more about filters and drains]]
+{{Website Icon}} [[Filters and Drains | Learn more about filters and drains as they relate to outlet works]]
 {{Website Icon}} [[Filter Diaphragms | Learn about good construction practices when building a filter diaphragm]]
 ==Best Practices Resources==
-{{Document Icon}} [[Filters for Embankment Dams | Filters for Embankment Dams (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2011)]]
+{{Document Icon}} [[Filters for Embankment Dams | Filters for Embankment Dams, FEMA]]
-{{Document Icon}} [[National Engineering Handbook: Chapter 26 - Gradation Design of Sand and Gravel Filters | National Engineering Handbook: Chapter 26 - Gradation Design of Sand and Gravel Filters(Natural Resources Conservation Service, 2017)]]
+{{Document Icon}} [[Seepage Analysis and Control for Dams (EM 1110-2-1901) | Seepage Analysis and Control for Dams (EM 1110-2-1901), USACE]]
-{{Document Icon}} [[Design Standards No. 13: Embankment Dams (Ch. 5: Protective Filters) | Design Standards No. 13: Embankment Dams (Ch. 5: Protective Filters) (Bureau of Reclamation, 2011)]]
+{{Document Icon}} [[National Engineering Handbook: Chapter 26 - Gradation Design of Sand and Gravel Filters | National Engineering Handbook: Chapter 26 - Gradation Design of Sand and Gravel Filters, NRCS]]
+{{Document Icon}} [[Design Standards No. 13: Embankment Dams (Ch. 5: Protective Filters) | Design Standards No. 13: Embankment Dams (Ch. 5: Protective Filters), USBR]]
 ==Trainings==
 {{Video Icon}} [[On-Demand Webinar: Filters and Drainage Systems for Embankment Dams]]