Seepage around pipe piles in embankments
Seepage around pipe piles in embankments
(OP)
How do you consider the effect of seepage on the stability of the embankment if you have pipe piles peneterating
an embankment? We have an ebmankment nearby a river with piles penetrating the embankment and socketed in rock.
We have two cases, rapid drawdon and flood. I understand that when seepage occurs around the pipe piles, the
pile skin friction will be reduced.
I am wondering how to model the seepage around the piles in programs such as SEEP/W or hand calculation? Do we consider the pile width as the full blanket width? Do we assume that the pile will act as a vertical drainage blanket?
Any references, books, or articles dealing with seepage around pipe piles in embankments?
Thanks.
an embankment? We have an ebmankment nearby a river with piles penetrating the embankment and socketed in rock.
We have two cases, rapid drawdon and flood. I understand that when seepage occurs around the pipe piles, the
pile skin friction will be reduced.
I am wondering how to model the seepage around the piles in programs such as SEEP/W or hand calculation? Do we consider the pile width as the full blanket width? Do we assume that the pile will act as a vertical drainage blanket?
Any references, books, or articles dealing with seepage around pipe piles in embankments?
Thanks.





RE: Seepage around pipe piles in embankments
RE: Seepage around pipe piles in embankments
RE: Seepage around pipe piles in embankments
The seepage analysis around the piles is 3D, not really possible with Seep/w. Probably much easier to design remedial measures, such as a weighted filter on the land side of the levee, if that's where the piles are. Post a sketch?
Seep/w and flow nets are continuum models, whereas internal erosion is more likely to initiate at discontinuities. Keep that in mind while analyzing.
Bon chance!
DRG
RE: Seepage around pipe piles in embankments
Thanks for the great advice. Any suggestion of a computer program that can do the 3D analysis? Do you consider a seepage path just along the pile or do you model a zone (say 0.5 ft) around the pile while considering the pile as a rigid body?
Thanks
RE: Seepage around pipe piles in embankments
Therefore, I would start by looking at how the piles would create a failure, by identifying the chain(s) of events beginning with storage against the levee, initial particle movement, path of transported particles, etc., ending with the breach. If there is a plausible failure mode, look at what you can do to mitigate it. You might find the fix to be much cheaper than the analysis - maybe just a few truckloads of sand and gravel around the piles.