The Effect of Impervious Clay Core Shape on the Stability of Embankment Dams

One of the most important dangers that treat earth dams which can lead to interior failure over a prolonged period is the hydraulic fracturing factor. In the case of zoned dams, due to differences in stiffness of the core and its abutment zone, differential settlements occur between them. This factor is responsible for the arching phenomenon. Differential settlements between core and shell cause cracks within the core initially sub-surface, Those cracks may develop the first impounding causing internal erosion on the dam core. In this research, using a computer modeling of Ghavoshan rockfill dam (located the west part of Iran) as a case study computed by SIGMA/W program, the role of the dam core shape on those factors is demonstrated. It is found that an inclined core shape is preferred in a condition that is especially important settlements of construction during for dam body. The result of finite element analysis indicates desired conditions from the point of view of stress, deformation and resistance against hydraulic fracturing for the same width of dam designs. Moreover, this can be higher priority for embankment dam designs.