Geo-engineering study to evaluate the efficiency of the Aswan High Dam layers for the rock-fill part

Abstract

Aswan High Dam is one of a zoned embankment dam; it has been constructed in 1970, since 45 years. It is unique in a certain way, in particular as a result of its hydro-geological, geometric and hydrological parameters.

The objective of the present study is to evaluate the efficiency of the Aswan High dam, by using numerical analysis computer programs to model a variety of seepage flow conditions and stability in the dam. It is a process in which the problem is represented as it appears in the actual condition of real world and is interpreted in abstract form, which could be applied to other similar hydraulic structures the with help the theories of limit equilibrium method (LEM), finite element method (FEM) and non-destructive geophysical technique (GPR), the computer programs Slide 6, Seep/W and Reflex 7.2c are used in the analyses.

The obtained results showed that the smallest coefficient of the stability factor in all dynamic conditions with the help of LEM does not decrease lower than the standard ones, and it concluded that: at the upstream wedge; the value of the design stability factor more than the value of the calculated stability factor about 1.19 times and at the downstream wedge; the value of the design stability factor more than the value of the calculated stability factor about 1.01 times.