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IS 9429 (1999): Drainage System for Earth and Rockfill Dams

- Code of Practice [WRD 9: Dams and Spillways]

“!ान $ एक न' भारत का +नम-ण”

Satyanarayan Gangaram Pitroda
“Invent a New India Using Knowledge”

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है”
ह
Bhartṛhari—Nītiśatakam
“Knowledge is such a treasure which cannot be stolen”
 Indian Standard
DRAINAGE SYSTEM FOR EARTH AND ROCKFILL
DAMS - C-ODE OF PRACTICE
( First Revision)

KS 93.020

0 BIS 1999

BUREAU OF INDIAN STAN-DARDS

MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG
NEW DELHI 110002

Price Group 8
Dams (Overflow and Non-overflow) and Diversion Works Sectional Committee, RVD 9

FOREWORD

This Indian Standards (First Revision) was adopted by the Bureau of Indian Standards, after the draft finalized by
the Dams (Overflow and non-overflow) and Diversion Works Sectional Committee had been approved by the
River Valley Division Council.

One of the basic requirements for design of an earth or rockfill dam is to ensure safety against internal erosion,
piping and excessive pore pressure in the dam. A suitably designed internal drainage system is therefore
essential to satisfy these requirements.

This standard was first published in 1980. This revision incorporates the modifications found necessary as a
result of experience gained with the use of this standard and the latest practice prevailing in the field. Important
modifications made are in respect of criteria for selection of drainage features. Design of filter layers has been
dealt with in detail and annexures have been incorporatedto illustrate the procedure of calculating the thickness
of filter layers. Recognizing the importance of filter gradation criteria, a separate annexure has-also been incorpo-
rated to illustrate computation of filter gradation limits.

For the purpose of deciding whether a particular requirement of this standard is complied with, the final value,
observed or calculated expressing the result of a test or analysis, should be rounded off in accordance with
IS 2: 1960 ‘Rules for rounding off numerical values (revised)‘. The number of significant places retained in the
rounded off value should be the same as that of the specified value in this standard.
 IS 9429 : 1999

Indian Standard
DRAINAGE SYSTEM FOR EARTH AND ROCKFILL
DAMS - CODE OF PRACTICE
( First Revision )

1 SCOPE 3.5 Intermediate Filter

This standard deals with the drainage system required A thin layer of pervious materials placed horizontally
for controlling pore pressures and internal erosion in at different levels in the upstream and/or downstream
earth and rockfill dams. shell without connection with the inclined/vertical
filter.
2 REFERENCES
3.6 Phreatic Line or Surface
The Indian Standards given below contain provisions
which through reference in this text, constitute It is the surface~in embankment and/or foundation along
provisions of this standard. At the time of publication, which the pore pressure is equal to atmospheric
the editions indicated were valid. All standards are sub- pressure.
ject to revision, and parties to agreements based on
4 GENERAL ASPECTS OF SEEPAGE AND
this standard are encouraged to investigate the possi-
CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF DRAINAGE
bility of applying the most recent editions ofthe stand-
FEATURFS
ards indicated~below:
4.1 The seepage of reservoir water through the body
IS No. Title of earth and rockfill dam or at interfaces of dam
4410(PartS): 1992 Glossary ofterms relating to river seat with ground/steep ground surface or abutment or
valley projects : Part 8 Dam and both, creates the following two problems, apart from
dam section (first revision) causing excessive water loss and thereby reducing
usable storage of reservoir:
8826 : 1978 Guidelines for design of large
earth and rockfill dams a) Seepage force in the form of pore water pressures,
and
3 TERMINOLOGY
b) -Piping.
3.0 For the purpose of this standard the definition of
terms given in iS 4410 (Part 8) and those given in 3.1 4.1.1 Inspite oftaking all measures in design as well as
to 3.6 shall apply. construction to minimize seepage, it does take place
either through the body of the dam or at interfaces.
3.1 Horizontal Filter
Whatever may be quantum of seepage, if it is not safely
A layer of uniform or graded pervious materials placed drained away from the toe of embankment dam into
horizontally. nearby drainage, valley, etc, it may lead to failure or
heavy damage to the embankment, by way of slips of
3.2 Inclined or Vertical Filter
slopes and/or development of internal erosion leading
A layer of uniform or graded pervious materials placed to formation of sink holes, boiling, settlement, etc,
inclined or vertical. besides creating unfriendly environment on
3.3 Inn, r Cross Drain downstream faces and areas of embankment dams.

A trench filled with filter materials to collect seepage 4.2 The drainage system should be so devised that it
from the inner longitudinal drain and carry it to the toe tackles the problems mentioned in 4.1. The design is
drain. mostly governed by type and permeability of base
materials as well as filter materials, water depth in
3.4 Inner Longitudinal Drain reservoir, topographical features of dam site, etc. The
A trench tilled with filter materials and laid along the conventional type of seepage control and drainage
downstream toe of the core of dam to collect seepage features generally adopted for the embankment dam
from core of the dam. are:
IS 9429 : 1999

4 Impervious core, combination of these two types of features are usually

incorporated in every embankment dam design. It is a
b) Inclined/vertical filter with horizontal filter, conventional practice to provide impervious cores
cl Network of inner longitudinal drain and cross within the body of embankment dam as a water barrier.
drains, For details regarding impervious core, IS 8826 may be
referred to. In rockfill dams, instead of providing
4 Horizontal filter, impervious core, an impervious membrane on the
4 Transition zones/transition filters, upstream face is also adopted. Commonly used drainage
features inside the body of the dam are given in 4.2.
4 Intermediate filters,
Details of these drainage features are given in 5.1.1 to
8) Rock toe, and 5.1.7 and illustrated in Fig. 1 A and 1 B.
h) Toe drain.
5.1.1 InclinedVertical Filter
4.2.1 The drainage system may comprise either one or
Inclined or vertical filter abutting downstream face of
a combination of more than one of these drainage
either impervious core or downstream transition zone
features (see also Fig. 1).
is provided to collect seepage emerging out of core/
4.3 Criteria for Selection d Drainage Features transition zone and thereby keeping the downstream
shell relatively dry. In the eventuality of hydraulic
4.3.1 The selection of drainage features depends upon fracturing of the impervious core, it prevents the failure
the availability of filter materials, type of dam whether of dam by piping.
earth or rockfill or whether zoned or homogeneous,
type of shell material, etc. The~mostcommon drainage 5. I. 1.1 The top level of inclined/vertical filter should
features adopted in earth dam are inclined filter, hori- be kept at full reservoir level (FRL,). However, in regions
zontal filter, rock toe and toe drain. prone to earthquake, the inclined/vertical filter should
be taken up to the top of impervious core. Minimum
4.3.2 In case of a homogeneous section of earth dam thickness of the filter should be kept as lm. The same
either only horizontal filter or a combination of vertical/ should be provided liberally if the filter material is
inclined filter and horizontal filter shall be provided. available in plenty. Calculations about the width
4.3.3 For a rockfill dam with central impervious core, required theoretically, are given in Annex A. At the
upstream inclined filter shall be provided. base, this filter should be connected to the horizontal
filter or inner cross drains which ultimately carry the
4.3.4 When the shell material is relatively impervious, seepage water to the toe drain.
intermediate filters may be provided in the upstream
and downstream shell. 5.1.1.2 The filter material should satisfy the
requirements given in 7.
4.3.5 Toe drain located on the downstream toe of the
embankment dam is necessary to collect seepage. The 5.1.2 Horizontal Filter
collected water in the toe drain should be taken 5.1.2.1 It collects the seepage from the inclinedjverti-
away from the toe of the dam into nearby drainage, cal filter or from the body ofthe dam, in the absence of
depression, river, etc, by providing outfalls at suitable inclined/vertical filter, and’carries it to toe drain. It also
locations along the toe drain. Additional cross drains collects seepage from the foundation and minimizes
connecting the toe drain and additional outer open possibility of piping along the dam seat.
longitudinal drains may be necessary in some cases
for effective drainage of collected water. 5.1.2.2 Horizontal filter is~usuallyprovided on stripped
ground level downstream of core/transition zone, con-
4.3.6 In case of rockfill dams, transition zones/transi- nected with inclined/vertical filter in a zoned dam, or in
tion filters may be required between the impervious the downstream part of a homogeneous dam. A mini-
core and rockfill and between the overburden in dam mum slope of 1 in 100 towards the toe drain is desirable
seat and rocktill. for quick disposal of seepage water. This arrangement
4.3.7 Where a singI%zone of graded filter is costly, may be suitably modified depending on the topo-
progressive zoning consisting of one or more transi- graphy of the area. The filter material should satisfy
tion zones may be considered as an alternative. the requirements given in 7.
5.1.2.3 Theoretically, the required thickness of
5 SFEPAGE CONTROL AND DRAINAGE
horizontal filter is quite small and can be determined
FEATURES FOR EMBANKMENTS
according to the procedure outlined in Annex A.
4. I Seepage control features are categorized as either However, from practical considerations, a minimum
water barriers or controlled drainage features. A thickness of 1.Om is desirable.

2
 IS 9429 : 1999

-_I p TOP WIDTH

GROUT’ CURTAIN

Zones:
Central impervious core 5. Horizontal filter
Transitioh zone I Transition filter 6. Rock toe
ShelI I RockfiIl 7. Toe drain
Inclined filter

1A Section of Zoned Dam Showing Seepage Control Features

t--j- TOP WIDTH

lit-- GROUTCURTAIN

Zones:
1. Impervious till material 4. Intermediate filter
2. Vertical filter 5. Rock toe
3. Horizontal filter at base 6. Toe drain

16 Section of Homogeneous Dam Showing Seepage Control Feature

FIG. 1 DAMSECTIONS
SHOWING
SEEPAGECONTROLFEATURJB

5.1.2.4 Horizontal filters should not be used beyond 51.4 Transition Zones and Transition Filters
the point where the FRL touches the ground. 5.1.4.1 Transition zones/filters in earth and rockfill
dams in the upstream and downstream shells are
5.1.3 Inner Longitudinal and Inner Crosk Drains
necessary, when the specified gradation criteria is not
5.1.3.1 When the filter material is not available in the satisfied between two adjacent zones. When such
required quantity at reasonable cost, a network of zones/filters are placed on either side of the impervi-
inner longitudinal and inner cross drains is preferred ous core, they help to minimii failure by internal
to inclined/vertical filters and horizontal filters. piping, cracking, etc, that may develop in the core or
This type of drainage feature is generally adopted for by migration of fines from the core material.
small dams, where the quantity of seepage to be 5.1.4.2 The material of transition zone/filter should
drained away is comparatively small. A typical arrange- satisfy the requirements given in 7.
ment of longitudinal and cross drains is shown in
Fig. 2. 5.1.4.3 The minimum width of transition zone should
be 4.0 m due to compaction requirements. However, in
5.1.3.2 The inner longitudinal and inner cross drains case of transition filters, minimum width should be
are trapezoidal in section and should be filled with 2.0 m. The transition zone/filter should beprovided up
filter materials as shown inpig. 2. The filter materials to the top of the core. Wider transition zones/filters are
should satisfy the requirements given in,7. recommended where cracks are likely to develop in the

3
IS 9429 : 1999

IMPERVIOUS
BARRIER

INNERCROSSDRAIN

- INNERtONGllUDlNAL

SECilON XX

150 THICKSAND ~Am7

150 THICKGRAVEL

SECTION Y Y (ENLARGED)

All dimensions in millimetres.

FIG.2 GENERAL ARRANGEMENT OF INNER LONGITUDINAL AND INNER CROSS DRAINS

core due to differential settlement, earthquake, etc and intermediate filter layers in upstream zones are to be
at the contacts with steep abutments. provided for reducing drawdown pore water pressure.
This avoids excessive flattening of upstream slope from
5.1.5 Horizontal Filters at Intermediate Levels
considerations of stability.
5.151 Horizontal filter layers at intermediate levels
5.1.5.3 The filter layers should be extended upto the
are sometimes provided in upstream and downstream
outer slopes of the embankment so as to drain~out the
shells, to reduce pore pressures during construction
collected water. These filter layers should not be con-
and sudden drawdown condition and also after
nected with inclined or vertical filters. -Aminimum space
prolonged rainfall (see Fig. 3 A and 3 B).
of 2.0 m oi-more, should be kept between the face of
5.1.5.2 The thickness and vertical interval between inclined/vertical filter and downstream intermediate
the filter layers are to be decided depending upon the filter. The material of the filter layers shoutd be
height of the dam and the range of permeability values protected at exposed faces as shown in Fig. 3 A and
of shell material and filter material. Provision of 3B. Calculations for determining the thickness at
0.6 m thick layers at about 6~mintervals, as shown in different intervals are given in Annex B. Details are
Fig. 3 B is generally considered adequate in case shown in Fig. 4 A and 4 B.

4
 .-
I-
IS 9429 : 1999

3JOm mTHlCK STONEPITCHING

3A Filter Layer at Downstream Face

STONEPtTCHlNG
METAUGRAVELUYER

36 Details of Intermediate Filter at Upstream Face

Alldimensions in millimetres.

FIG.3 HORIZONTALFILTERATINTERMEDIATELEVEL

5.1.6 Rock Toe 5.1.6.3 The filter layers in the rock toe and below the
5.1.6.1 The principal function of the rock toe is to riprap should satisfy the requirements given in 7.
provide drainage. It also protects the lower part of
5.1.7 Toe Drain
the downstream slope of an earth dam from tail water
erosion. 5.1.7.1 Toe drain is provided at the downstream toe
of the earth/rocktill dam to collect seepage from the
5.1.6.2 Rock available from compulsory excavation
horizontal filter or inner cross drains, through
may be used in construction of the rock toe. Where
foundation as well as the rain water falling on the face
this is not possible and transportation of rock is
of the dam, by suitable means according to site
prohibitively costly, conventional pitching should be
conditions. Additional longitudinal drain and cross
used for protecting the downstream toe of the dam. drains connected with the toe drain are sometimes
The top level of the rock toe/pitching should be kept provided where outfall conditions are poor. It is prefer-
above the maximum tail water level (TWL). In the reach able to provide the toe drain outside the toe of rock
where the ground level at the dam toe is above the toe, to facilitate visual inspection. The section of the
maximum tail water level, only conventional pitching toe drain should be adequate for carrying total
should be adopted. The top ofsuch pitching should seepage from the dam, the foundation and the expected
be kept 1.0 m above the top of horizontal filter, or rain water.
stripped level, whichever is higher. A zone of coarse
filter should be introduced between the rockfill/ 5.1.7.2 The minimum depth of the toe drain should be
pitching and the fine filter. A combination of 0.60 m, with gradual increase depending upon the site
partial rock toe and pitching may also be considered to conditions and the gradient provided to the bed of the
effect economy. Details are shown in Fig. 5 A to toe drain. However-the maximum depth of toe drain
Fig. 5 F. should not exceed 1.20 m for ease of construction and

5
IS 9429 : 1999
INTERMEDIATE HORIZONTAL FILTER

IMPERVIOUS CORE

= 2a
2a=6Ocm

4A

. + DOWN STREAM FACE

DOWN STREAM SHELL 2a

l$q = 4 x Iti5 cm/s

FIG. 4 THICKNESSOF HORIZONTAL

ANDINTERMEDWTE
FILTER

I . 300 STONE PITCHING

GRAVEL/METAL LAYER

2M) SAND LAYER

All dimensions in millimetres.

5A Details of Fjock Toe Protection with Toe Drain Where TWL is Higher Than SGL

SW STONE PITCHING

200 SAND LAYER

200 GRAVEL/METAL LAYER

All dimensions in millimetres.

58 Details of Pitching with Toe Drain Where TWL is Higher Than SGL

6
 IS 9429 : 1999

300 THICKSTONE PITCHING

min
2OfhTHICKGRAVEUMElALLAYER/ 1

All dimensionsin millimetres.

5C Downstream Rock Toe Protection When Maximum TWL is Higher Than Rock Toe

300 THICK STONE PITCHING

2@J GRAVEUMETALLAYER

ZOO THICK SAND IAYER

All dimensionsin millimetres.

5D Downstream Toe Protection When SGL is Above Maximum TWL

RlPRAP/lURFlNG
300 THICK STONE PITCHING
ZOO THICK GRAVEUMETAL LAYER
200 THICK SAND LALYER

All dimensionsin millimetres.

5E Downstream Toe Protection (Where SGL is Higher Than FRL)

IPRAPTURFING

300 THICK STONE PITCHING

200 THICK GRAVELMTAL LAYER
200 THICK SAND LALYER

HORIZONTAL FlLTER

STRIPPED SURFACE

All dimensionsin millimetres.

5F Downstream Toe Protection (When Lined Toe Drain is Provided)

AND TOE DRAINS

FIG. 5 PROVISIONOF RICK TOE/PITCHINGPROTECTION

maintenance. The bed level of the toe drain should be 6 SEEPAGE CONTROL MJ3ASURJISAT CONTAm
kept at, or below, the stripped level. The filter material WITHSTEEPGROUNDSANDSTEEPAB~NTS
provided on the upstream face of the toe drain should
6.1 General
satisfy the requirements given in 7.
Grounds having a gradient varying f?om 1:1 to 2 H : 1V

7
IS 9429 : 1999

A A A A A
TOP WIDTH OF CORE
V V V V V
c!.
DOi’NSlREAM
TOE OF CORE

\ DOWNSTREAM v ‘MepAERF$S
TOE OF DAM

FILTER

STEEP GROUND
HAVING A GRADE
OF 1:20 OR MORE
UPTO -1~1

SECTION XX

FIG.6 SEEPAGE
CONTROL
MEASURES
ATCONTACT
WI?HSTEEPGROUND

should be termed as steep ground for the purpose of 6.1.2 Steep Abutments
seepage control measures. However, grounds with a
gradient steeper than 1: 1 may fall in the category of 6.1.2.1 At the contact with steep abutments there
steep abutments for seepage control measures. should be a good bond between the impervious core
of the embankment and the rock in the abutment. A
6.1.1 Steep Ground wider impervious zone#and thicker transitions should
be provided to increase the length of seepage path
At the contacts with steep ground, in addition to the and to protect against erosion. For criteria governing
usual components of drainage system, an impervious provision of length, reference should be made to
barrier at regular intervals should be provided in the IS 8826.
horizontal filter mat to avoid concentration of seepage
at the foot of the steep ground. The recommended size 6.1.2.2 On the abutments, seepage through the dam,
of the impervious barrier is of 1 m bed width with travels towards the foot of the embankment mainly
thickness equal to that of the horizontal filter. The through the inclined filter. Seepage water may not travel
impervious barrier may be trapezoidal in section. The through horizontal filter and toe drain. However,
spacing of the barrier depends on the length of the horizontal filter should be provided to take care of
steep ground and thickness of the horizontal filter. The rainwater and some part of the seepage through dam
material to be used in the barrier should be impervious and abutment. There is concentration of seepage at
in nature. Any material suitable for core should be the foot of the abutment which may be prevented by
suitable for these barriers. The arrangement of providing providing an impervious barrier as described in 6.1.1
impervious barriers is shown in Fig. 6. the water being taken away from the dam through a

8
 IS 9429 : 1999

IMPERVIOUS BARRIER
-i X

SURFACE DRAlN

bMPERVlOUS BARRIER

SECTION XX

FIG.7 SEEPAGE
CONTROL
MEASURES
AT CONTACT.
WITHSTEEP ABUTMENT

surface drain or toe drain depending upon the site 75 microns, base soils are categorized as given in
condition. This arrangement is shown in Fig. 7. Table 1 (see also Note 1 and 2)
7 DESIGN OF FILTERS Table 1 Categories of Base Soils
7.1 General
SKI Category Percent Finer Than
The filter material used for drainage system shall satisfy No. 75 Microns
the following criteria: (2) (3)
(1)

a) Filter materials shall be more pervious than the base i) 1 > 85

materials; ii) 2 40-85
b) Filter materials shall be of such gradation that iii) 3 15-39
particles of base material do not totally migrate
through to clog the voids in filter material; and iv) 4 < 15

c) Filter material should help in formation of natural

graded layers in the zone of base soil ad_jacentto NOTES
the filter by readjustment of particles. I Wherever the base soil in categories 1, 2 and 3
contains particles larger than 4.75 mm, the
7.1.1 Gradation of Filter Material percentage of particles passing 4.75 mm shall be
ad.justed to 100 percent, that is by regrading the
In order to satisfy the requirements given in 7.1 the material assolning particle sizes larger than 4.75 mm
gradation of filter material with respect to base soil are absent (see Anrrex C).
shall be determined as given in 7.1.1.1 to 7.1.1.4.
2 Original gradation curve for base soil i,n category 4
7.1 .I .I Determine the gradation curve of the base soil. shall be used without adjustments for particles larger
Based on the percentage of particles finer than than 4.75 mm.
IS 9429 : 1999

7.1.1.2 To satisfy the permeability requirement of filter 3 ‘A’ is the percent passing the 75 micron sieve after any
regrading.
material, minimum D,, (F) shall be greater than or equal
to 5 x D,,(B) but not less than 0. Imm 4 When 4D,, (B) is less than 0.7 mm,0.7 mm should be used
(applicable for base soil category 3).
D,,(F)>5 D,,(B)>O.l mm
7.1.1.3 Maximum D,, Q shall be determined from 7.1.1.4 To minimize segregation, filters should have
Table 2. It should not be smaller than 0.2 mm (See also relatively uniform gradation. Filters with D,,(F) less
Notes I to4). than about 20 mm, do not generally segregate. How-
ever for preventing segregation during construction
Table 2 Criteria for Filters of filter in other cases, limits of D,,(F) and D,,(F) are
givenin Table 3.
SI Base Soil Base Soil Description Filter
No. Category and Percent Finer Criteria Table 3 Limits ofD,,Q and D,(F) for Preventing
than 75 Microns
Segregation
(1) (2) (3) (4)
SI D,,(F) J&“(F)
i) 1 Fine silts and clays, more D,,(F) I9D,,@)
than 85 percent finer 20.2mm
No. Min Max
(mm) (mm)
ii) 2 Sands, silts, clays and silty D,,(F) (0.7mm
(1) (2) (3)
and clayey sands; 40 per-
cent to 85 percent finer i) < 0.5 20
ii) 0.5-1.0 25
iii) 3 Silty and clayey 40-A
iii) 1.0-2.0 30
sands and gravels D,,(F) 5 L__ x
40- 15 iv) 2.0-5.0 40
v) 5.0-10 50
15 percent to 39 per- [4 D,,(B) - 0.7mm
cent finer + 0.7mm] vi) 10-50 60

iv) 4 Sands and gravels; D,,(F) L 4 D,,(B)

less than 15 percent 7.1.2 In the above clauses the sufftx ‘F denotes filter
tiner
material and ‘B’ base material. The subscripts 10,15,85
NOTES
or 90, refer to the percentage finer by weight. For coarse
filters the base material should be taken as fine filter,
1 Filters should have a maximum particle size of
fqr the purpose of gradation.
75 mm. Material passing the 75 micron sieve shall not
exceed 5 percent and should be non-cohesive.
7.1.3 An example of determining filter gradation limits
2 When 9D,,(E) is less than 0.2 mm, 0.2 mm should be used. is given in Annex C.

10
 IS 9429 : 1999

ANNEX A
(Clause 5.1.1.1 and5.1.2.3)

PROCEDURE TO DETERMINE THICKNESS OF

M3..JNED/VERTICAJa AND HORIZBNTAL FILTERS

A-l GENERAL A-2.1 In general, because earth dams are compacted

in thin lifts, the horizontal permeability is usually higher
This annex describes the procedure to calculate the
than the vertical permeability. Therefore, for estimat-
thickness of inclined/vertical and horizontal filter
ing the quantity of seepage it is presumed that there
layers, which form the internal drainage system for
will be 10 percent drop of head at the point where the
earth/rockfill dam. Two examples have been detailed,
phreatic line meets the downstream surface of the
one for a zoned earthfill dam having inclined and
impervious zone.
horizontal filters and another for a homogeneous dam
with horizontal filter. For gradation requirements of Thus the discharge at section X-Y (Fig. 8)
these filters, guidelines given in 7 should be referred
to. It is assumed that seepage is taking place under 4, =0.9HxK,
laminar conditions, hence Darcy’s law is applicable.
=0.9x80x3.85x lO-8
A-2 CALCULATIONS FOR THICKNESS OF
mCLlNEDFlLTER = 2.77 x 1o-6m3/s/m length

The section of zoned dam is given in Fig. 8. Basic data NOTE-Seepage quantity can also be estimated by using flow
for computation is given below: net.
df = Depth of overburden strata =20 m A-2.2 The thickness of inclined filter, t,, can be deter-
H= head of water = 80 m mined by Darcy’s laws, as follows :
K= Permeability of filter = 1.67 x 1OAm/s q, = K.i.A
Kb = Permeability of impervious = 3.85 x 10-*m/s where A = t, x 1 = t, (i.e., cross-section
material area for 1m length of dam)
K, = Permeability of overburden = 5.95 x 1Q8m/s i = sin cx= 0.89 (..‘a = 63.2”)

ci = Angle of discharging face = 63.2”

with horizontal

I”,,, OF DAM

INCLINED FILTER

OVER BURDEN
dfj = *Om Kq = 5.95 x IO-&I/S

I
/y*fl/c
ROCK SURFACE

All dimensions in millimetres.

FIG.8 CROSSSECTION
OFZONEDEARTH
DAM

11
IS 9429 : 1999

Thus, we have 1.67x 1O-4xt,l

3x lo”=
2.77x 1O-6=1.67x lO”x0.89xt, 200
2.77 x lO-6 3x104x200
or, t, = = 0.018m
or t,2 =
1.67 x 1O-4x0.89
1.67 x lQ4
Considering a safety factor of 2, t, = 0.036 m
= 3.59
However, from practical considerations, minimum
thickness of inclined filter should not be less than t* = 1.9
1.0 m. Applying a safety factor of 2
Thickness of filter = 1.9x 2 = 3.8 m
A-2.3 To determine thickness of horizontal filter, in
addition to seepage through dam body the seepage NOTE-In the above calculations, it is assumed that the
horizontal filter is laid on a flat ground. The longitudinal and
from foundation is also to be considered.
transverse ground slope generally available in the area, and
Assuming that there is no cut off, seepage discharge which improves the drainage capacity of drain have not been
accounted for.
through foundation would be :
qf=Kf.i.A A-2.3.2 Reduction in the total thickness of filters
where particularly, the horizontal filter, consisting of fine filter
material, can be obtained by using a graded filter
Kf = permeability of foundation strata, containing an internal layer of highly permeable
i = H/L, material. If a considerable thickness of filter material is
required to meet discharge requirements, only a small
from Fig. 8, L, = base width of impervious core, portion of this total thickness is necessary to prevent
A = d,x 1 (for 1 m length of dam) piping. In such cases, it is possible to reduce the filter
thickness by replacing the remaining portion with a
80 thinner layer of coarse filter that has a higher perme-
I = - and dr=20m
86.5 ability than the portion of fine filter. This measure may
80 generally prove cost effective. To provide a given
qf =5.95x lo-8x- x20
86.5 discharge capacity, the required thickness of coarse
layer in filter varies inversely with its coefficient of
= 1.1 x 1Omb
m3/s/m length of dam permeability.
Assuming that the positive cut-off is 80 percent In the above example, the thickness of horizontal filter
efficient, the quantity of seepage through foundation has been calculated as 3.8 m. Considering that the
will be: thickness required to prevent piping is 0.3 m on the top
qf = 0.2 x I. 1 x 10” m3/s. and 0.3 m on the bottom, of the total filter layer, the
remaining thickness of 3.2 m can be replaced by coarse
= 0.22 x 10-Om3/s. material. Assuming that the permeability of coarse layer
Hence, total discharge to be trapped by horizontal is 16 times that of fine filter, the thickness of coarse
filter: layer would be:

(2.77 + 0.22) x lo4 m3/s. 3.2

- = 0.80 m
=2.99x 10”m3/s. Say 3 x 10” m3/s. 4-K
A-2.3.1 To determine the thickness of horizontal filter, Thus, a layer 3.8 m thick consisting of fine material can
following formula is used : be replaced by 0.80 m of coarse material sandwiched
K.C between layers of fine material of 0.30 m each at top
4’ L and bottom, see Fig. 9. The coarse filter should
3
satisfy the filter criteria described in 7, with respect to
where fine filter.
t, = Thickness of horizontal filter
A-3 Calculation of filter thickness in homogeneous
L, = Length of horizontal filter dam having only horizontal filter.
K.t2
For section of dam and other relevant details, see
q=
L3
Fig. 10.

I3
 IS 9429 : 1999

INCLINEDFILTER

HORIZONTALFILTER (FINE)

9A

I_, _ 2oo m ’ ~IF~I SURFACE_]

9B

HORIZONTAL FlLTcl7 (FINE)

K = 1.67 x 10-h/s 7

L STRIPPED SURFACE

FE. 9 INCLINEDANDHORIZONTALFILTERSECTION

A-3.1 The quantity of seepage through body of the H

dam is given by: = 0.2 K,x - x dr
L*
Quantity = y, x K,
50
YO = m-d = 0.2x5.95x 1O-8x--- x20
143.5
= w-56
= 0.082 x 10” m3Mm length
= 19m
Hence quantity = 19x3.85x10-* A-3.3 Thickness of horizontal filter.
of seepage
Total discharge = (0.73 + 0.082) x 10” m3/s
= 0.73x 10” m3/s/m
= 0.812 x 1O-6m3/s.
A-3.2 Assuming 80 percent efficiency of foundation
treatment the quantity of seepage through foundation The thickness of horizontal filter can be calculated by:
will be :
K. t;
Quantity = 0.2 Kri. A 4 =-
4
IS 9429 : 1999

H=5OM

Lz=BA=143.5
L3 = A D = 123.75

FIG. 10 CROSS SECTION

OF HOMCIGENEOUS
EARTH
DAMHAVING
ONLYHORIZONTAL
FILTER

where t2= = 0.602

= 0.775 m
t2 = Thickness of filter in m, and t2

Applying a safety factor of 2.

L, = Length offilter.
Thickness of filter = 2 x 0.775
1.67~ 10qxt,2 = 1.55m
0.812x IO”= A-3.4 In this case, the determined thickness meets the
123.75
required criteria of minimum acceptable thickness.
However, in case the thickness calculated is excessive,
123.75 x 0.812x 1O-6
or tz2 = the procedure given in A-2.3.2 could be used for
1.67x 10” reducing the thickness from considerations of
economy.

14
 IS 9429 : 1999

ANNEX S
(CXmse 5.1.5.3)

PROCEDURE TO DETERMINE THICKNESS OF

HORIZONTAL FILTER LAYERS AT INTERMEDIATE LEVELS

B-l Cross section of an earthen dam is shown in t =-time period at the end of which the desired
Fig. 5 A. The fill materials in the shell are of relatively efficiency should be achieved, and
impervious nature. To reduce the pore pressures in
a = half the thickness of filter layer.
the shell material during construction conditions,
horizontal filter layers at intermediate levels are The other two terms~in the chart are:
necessary. The ensuing clauses illustrate the design n = efficiency of filters at the end of time (t), and
procedure for determining thickness and spacing of h = half the distance between two filter layers.
such filter layers.
B-4 To design intermediate filter layers for the section
B-2 Charts for determining the efficiency of of earth dam shown in Fig. 4 A we have,
intermediate filter layers, are available. One such chart
is shown in Fig. I 1 which is applicable where the height Cy = 1 x 10e4cm/s = 0.86 m2/day
of embankment, above the filter layers, increases at a Kvi =4x lo-‘cm/s
constant rate.
K,,z= 1 x I0m2cm/s
B-3 To utilize the chart given in Fig. I I, the following
terms have to be evaluated : L =60m
Designing for the bottom most filter layers
4xL2 Kvi
D= Assume that 50 percent dissipation of pore pressures
n2 a Khz is required at the end of 4 months (At the end of 4
months of construction activity the embankment might
and T= -
C-/f have been raised to a reasonable height over filter layer
02 at a constant rate).
Therefore, t = 4 months = 120 days
where
and n = 0.5
L = Length of filter layer,
Assume thickness of filter layers as 0.6 m
Kvi = Vertical permeability of filter layer, Fig. 4 B Therefore, a = 0.3 m
Khz = horizontal permeability of fill material,F 4L2 K. 4~60~ 4~10-~
Therefore, D = - x 2’ = -x ~ = 19.47 m
C, = Co-efficient of consolidation of fill material, x2a Khz 71*x 0.3 1 x 10-2

1.0

0.6

0.6
t\
o-4

0.2

FIG. 11 VAUTION OF DRAMEFFICIENCY

( q) WITHTIME FACTOR(T) FORLINEARLYINCREASING
LOAD
IS 9429 : 1999

0.86 x 120 Therefore, h=0.25x D

and T = = 0.272
(19.47>’ = 0.25 x 19.47
From chart of Fig. 11 for q = 50 percent = 0.5 and =4.8Gm
T= 0.272
Therefore, 2h = 9.72 m = 10.0 m (say)
we have.
h Hence filter layers are to be provided at interval of
- = 0.25 10.0 m.
D

16
 IS 9429 : 1999

ANNEX C
(See Note 1 Under
Clause 7.1.1.1 and7.1.3)

SAMPLE DESIGN OF FILTER GRADATION LIMITS

C-l FINEFILTERS C-l.4 Determine the category designation using

Table 1 (see 7.1.1.1). Size the regraded curve shows 33
C-l.1 Consider the original gradation curve of base
percent passing the No. 75 mic*ron(0.075 mm) sieve,
soil (Curve 1, Fig. 12). This gradation should be the
the base soil is in Category 3.
one that requires the smallest D,,(F) size:
C-l.5 Determine the minimum D,, size for the filter by
SI IS Seive Percentage Regraded the equation:
No. Size Passing Percentage
(by weight) passing
(by Weight)
(1) (2) (3) (4) The regraded curve has D,,(B) of 0.002 2 mm.
i) 40 mm 100 -
Hence the required D,,(F) = 5 x 0.002 2 = 0.011 0 mm
ii) 25 mm 98 -
iii) 4.75 mm 88 100 However as DJF) should not be less than 0.10 mm,
iv) 2.0 mm 80 91 adopt D,,(F) (minimum) = 0.1 mm.
v) 600 micron 61 69
vi) 300 micron 47 53
75 29
C-l.6 Determine the maximum D,, size for the filter by
vii) micron 33
viii) 20 micron 22 25 the equation for Category 3, according to Table 2
ix) 5 micron 16 18 (see 7.1.3). The regraded Curve 2, shows D,, size as
x) 2 micron 12 14 1.5 mm. The computation gives:

C-l .2 Since only 88 percent of the base material passes (40-33)

the 4.75 mm sieve, proceed to C-1.3. D,,(F) = x (4x 1.5-0.7)+0.7=2.2mm.
(40 -15)
C-l.3 As the base soil contains 12 percent material
coarser than 4.75 mm sieve (Gravel size), the soil C-l.7 Set the maximum particle size at (75 mm 100
requires regradation. The regrading factor is 100/88. percent passing) and the maximum passing the 75
All the percentage values corresponding to the size micron (0.075 mm). sieve at 5 percent .
including 4.75 and below are multiplied with the
regrading factor while percentages corresponding to C-1.8 Determine the maximum D,, size for the filter
sizes above 4.75 mm are set to zero to obtain regraded using Table 3. The minimum D,,(F) is 0.09 mm. This is
curve col. 3 above. Draw this curve (Curve 2). less than 0.5 mm, and therefore, the maximum D,, size

100.00

90.00

60.00

70.00

60.00

iI
z 50.00
ii
w 40.00
2
g 30.00

J
“w 20.00
0
IO.00

0.00
0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 100

GRAIN SIZE IN mm

FIG. 12 GRADATION
ANALYSISOFSOIL

17
IS 9429 : 1999

is 20 mm. Similarly for upper limit for fine filter D,,(F) is than4.75 mm(seeNote2under 7.1.1.1).
0.5 tnm and therefore D,, (F) is 25 mm.
C-2.4 Determine the minimum D,, size for the coarse
Join all the points (minimum and maximum separately) filter using Curve 6 by the equation
by straight lines to get upper and lower gradation
limits for fine filter (see Fig. 12). DISQ 1 5D,,(B) > 5 x 1 = 5 mm.

C-2.5 Determine the maximum D,, size for the coarse

C-2 COARSE FILTERS (see Fig. 13) filter by the equation for Category 4 soil (see Table 1 in
C-2.1 Take the curve for limit of fine filter (Curves 5 7.1.1,1). Curve 5 for the base soil (fine filter) shall be
and 6) as the base soil gradation for designing coarse used to select D,, (B) size for base soil. D,, (B) is 3 mm.
filter layer, in case such layer is required from design
consideration. Therefore O,,(fl = 4 x 3 = 12 mm.

C-2.2 Determine the category of the base soil (fine C-2.6 Set the maximum particle size at 75 mm (100
filter) using Table 1. Curves 5 and 6 show that the percent passing) and the maximum passing the 0.075
available fine filter contain less than 15 percent mm sieve at 5 percent (Curves 7 and 8).
tnaterial finer than 0.0’75 mm (75 micron). Hence the
C-2.7 Determine the maximum D,,size for the
base soil (fine filter) falls in Category 4.
filter using Table 2. Taking lower and upper limits of
C-2.3 As the base soil (fine filter) falls in Category 4, coarse material curves 7 and 8, D,, is 1 mm. This fixes
original gradation curve shall be used for further the D, as 30 mm. The plots 7 and 8 give the lower and
computation, without adjustment for particles larger upper gradation limits for coarse filter.

90.00

60.00

70.00

$ LO.00
w
: 30.00
if
20.00

10.00
7 l Ill11111 I

0.00 l--l-u!_
0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 100
GRAIN SIZE IN mm

OF SOL
FIG. 13 GRADATIONAN.-LLYSIS

18
Bureau of Indian Standards

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This Indian Standard has been developed from Dot: No. RVD 9 (65).

Amendments Issued Since Publication

Amend No. Date of Issue Text Affected

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