In the field of embankment dams we at the Building Research Station began by studying failures, and then concentrated for some time on measuring pore pressures and total pressures, in order to check stability using effective stress analysis. We also measured settlements to see if there was correlation between the dissipation of constructional pore pressures and the compression of layers in the fill. We became interested in the deflexion of clay cores, so that we measured horizontal strains as well as settlement.57. It was clear that existing design methods were directed towards providing an adequate factor of safety against complete collapse, but were weak in predicting deformations-deformations which on occasion could be sufficient to damage the core or the upstream membrane of a dam. We have considered the possible methods of calculating strains and deformations and have developed an analytical method using a finite element technique to estimate deflexions which will occur in an embankment during construction from the results of laboratory tests on the fill material.58. This is a relatively simple method which could easily be made more complex, but the purpose of the Paper is to show that, in its first application (to Scammonden Dam) it has given estimates of movement which are quite close to the actual movements which we have measured within the body of the embankment itself.
Dr J. B. BurlandIn my view, the finite element method has three distinct advantages for use in solving soil mechanics problems. The first is that it can be used to handle very complex geometry-geometries which are far too complicated for closed analytical solutions; The second is that it can cope with variations of properties across the continuumthat is, it can deal quite simply with non-homogeneity. Finally, problems in which self-weight plays a major part in determining behaviour are also fairly straightforward.60. My next point is that it is natural for engineers to attempt to relate the behaviour of real structures to that of simple, idealised models. In my view, it is not necessary for the engineer to believe the model implicitly, and I think that he is probably a wise engineer if he does not. The important thing is that the model acts as a frame of reference against which real behaviour can be checked.61. The Paper compares the observed behaviour of Scammonden Dam with a particularly simple model, deliberately so. The model material has a constant equivalent compressibility which is derived from the results of oedometer tests on the real material. In building the model on the computer, we have accurately reproduced the geometry of the dam and followed the construction sequence as accurately and closely as we can. A point which is particularly interesting is that when the downstream shoulder was raised consideraDly more rapidly than the area near the core causing reversals in the observed horizontal movements, the effects were quite accurately reproduced in the model.62. Finally, we do not wish to leave the impression that we believ...
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