A Numerical Modelling Procedure for the Study of the Streaming Potential Phenomenon in Embankment Dams

Sheffer, M. R.; Howie, John A.

doi:10.4133/1.2923191

Cited by 10 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Figures 12 and 13 show the distribution of the equipotentials for the self‐potential in the pool (for k 0 = 4.6 × 10 −9 m 2 ). The leakage is clearly associated with a negative self‐potential anomaly centered on the area of leakage in agreement with field observations [e.g., Bogoslovsky and Ogilvy , 1970; Sheffer , 2002; Sheffer and Howie , 2001, 2003]. The magnitude of this anomaly at the entrance of the pipe is equal to four millivolts.…”

Section: Example Of Geophysical Applicationsupporting

confidence: 88%

“…The record of these electrical fields provides a powerful geophysical method for tracking the pattern of groundwater flow. Applications in geohydrology concern the forced movement of water associated with deformation of porous rocks [e.g., Lorne et al , 1999a, 1999b; Revil et al , 2003], the determination of preferential flow paths over karstic areas [ Jardani et al , 2006a, 2006b], the determination of transmissive properties of unconfined aquifers [ Titov et al , 2000], the determination of subglacial flow patterns [ Kulessa et al , 2003a, 2003b], CO 2 sequestration [ Moore et al , 2004], and the detection of leakages in embankments and dams and the interpretation of the resulting self‐potential signals in terms of seepage velocity [e.g., Bogoslovsky and Ogilvy , 1970; Gex , 1980; Panthulu et al , 2001; Sheffer , 2002; Sheffer and Howie , 2001, 2003; Titov et al , 2005; Rozycki et al , 2006]. These works have also recently driven the development of new algorithms of self‐potential tomography [e.g., Revil et al , 2001; Long and Hao , 2005; Minsley et al , 2007] and tank‐scale laboratory measurements in well‐controlled conditions to check the underlying physics of these processes [ Maineult et al , 2006a, 2006b; Moore and Glaser , 2007].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Streaming potentials of granular media: Influence of the Dukhin and Reynolds numbers

et al. 2007

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

[1] Laboratory experiments are performed to understand the controlling parameters of the electrical field associated with the seepage of water through a porous material. We use seven glass bead packs with varying mean grain size in an effort to obtain a standard material for the investigation of these electrical potentials. The mean grain size of these samples is in the range 56-3000 mm. We use pure NaCl electrolytes with conductivity in the range 10 À4 to 10 À1 S m À1 at 25°C. The flow conditions cover viscous and inertial laminar flow conditions but not turbulent flow. In the relationship between the streaming potential coupling coefficient and the grain size, three distinct domains are defined by the values of two dimensionless numbers, the Dukhin and the Reynolds numbers. The Dukhin number represents the ratio between the surface conductivity of the grains (due to conduction in the electrical double layer coating the surface of the grains) and the pore water electrical conductivity. At high Dukhin numbers ()1) and low Reynolds numbers ((1), the magnitude of the streaming potential coupling coefficient decreases with the increase of the Dukhin number and depends on the mean grain diameter (and therefore permeability) of the medium. At low Dukhin and Reynolds numbers ((1), the streaming potential coupling coefficient becomes independent of the microstructure and is given by the well-known Helmholtz-Smoluchowski equation widely used in the literature. At high Reynolds numbers, the magnitude of the streaming potential coupling coefficient decreases with the increase of the Reynolds number in agreement with a new model developed in this paper. A numerical application is made illustrating the relation between the self-potential signal and the intensity of seepage through a leakage in an embankment.

show abstract

Section: Example Of Geophysical Applicationsupporting

confidence: 88%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Streaming potentials of granular media: Influence of the Dukhin and Reynolds numbers

et al. 2007

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Past data interpretation techniques primarily have been qualitative. However, recent research described by Sheffer and Howie (2003) is developing modeling procedures so that the SP technique can be applied as a quantitative monitoring tool in seepage studies. With the new model, scientists are able to determine properties including hydraulic conductivity and flow rate as they affect the SP response.…”

Section: Electrical Soundingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The increasing role of SP has initiated research on SP algorithms to quantify flow volume and to develop the SP technique as a comprehensive investigative tool in seepage assessment projects (Sheffer and Howie 2003). …”

Section: Self-potentialmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Numerical modeling was first introduced by Wilt and Butler (1990), using an algorithm developed by Sill and Killpack (1982). Sheffer and Howie (2003) presented preliminary 3-D models while incorporating the use of Visual MODFLOW, a commercially available seepage analysis software package, to provide a comprehensive seepage analysis. These modeled SP results, from a laboratory-scale embankment and a real-world earth dam (Mica Dam) in British Columbia, indicate that the SP method has potential as a quantitative monitoring tool.…”

Section: Electrical Soundingmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Using Geophysics to Assess the Condition of Small Embankment Dams

Brosten¹,

Llopis²,

Kelley³

2005

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory conducted a program of technical and archival research to document current knowledge of indirect seepage detection and methods for monitoring the conditions within small embankment dams. This report documents current methods used to determine conditions within embankment dams by indirect means and provides guidance on determining which methods will most likely succeed at various sites. The report includes a review of current indirect geophysical technologies used in seepage investigations with emphasis on small-sized earthen dams (<7,500 m long, <40 m high). A summary of state-ofthe-art equipment, principles of operation, and field procedures is also presented, followed by the results of a September 2003 geophysics-based investigation of seepage and conditions within Clearwater Dam in southeastern Missouri. The report concludes with recommendations for future development of the most promising technologies to be used for seepage detection and assessing the condition within embankments.

show abstract

Review: Some low-frequency electrical methods for subsurface characterization and monitoring in hydrogeology

et al. 2012

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Low-frequency geoelectrical methods include mainly self-potential, resistivity, and induced polarization techniques, which have potential in many environmental and hydrogeological applications. They provide complementary information to each other and to in-situ measurements. The self-potential method is a passive measurement of the electrical response associated with the in-situ generation of electrical current due to the flow of pore water in porous media, a salinity gradient, and/or the concentration of redoxactive species. Under some conditions, this method can be used to visualize groundwater flow, to determine permeability, and to detect preferential flow paths. Electrical resistivity is dependent on the water content, the temperature, the salinity of the pore water, and the clay content and mineralogy. Time-lapse resistivity can be used to assess the permeability and dispersivity distributions and to monitor contaminant plumes. Induced polarization characterizes the ability of rocks to reversibly store electrical energy. It can be used to image permeability and to monitor chemistry of the pore water-minerals interface. These geophysical methods, reviewed in this paper, should always be used in concert with additional in-situ measurements (e.g. in-situ pumping tests, chemical measurements of the pore water), for instance through joint inversion schemes, which is an area of fertile on-going research.

show abstract

A Numerical Modelling Procedure for the Study of the Streaming Potential Phenomenon in Embankment Dams

Cited by 10 publications

References 0 publications

Streaming potentials of granular media: Influence of the Dukhin and Reynolds numbers

Streaming potentials of granular media: Influence of the Dukhin and Reynolds numbers

Using Geophysics to Assess the Condition of Small Embankment Dams

Review: Some low-frequency electrical methods for subsurface characterization and monitoring in hydrogeology

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About