Filtration through hydraulic embankments made of colliery spoil: model tests

Abstract

Model embankments made of colliery spoil and fuel ash were investigated in a hydraulic channel. Seven models of colliery spoil with or without additional sealing elements from the ash, as well as one of ash itself, were constructed. The effect of granulometric composition, compaction, different types of sealings, and the silting-up process on embankment perme ability was ascertained. Embankment slope stability was also analysed with respect to seepage pressure and strength param eters of the slope material. The effect of granulometric com position, thickness of sealing elements, and silting-up on water seepage through the embankments was significant. On the other hand, compaction had less influence than the above mentioned factors. The effect of seepage pressure on slope stability of the embankment made from fuel ash was failure. General recommendations for building hydraulic earth structures using the materials investigated are pre sented.