Seepage under hydraulic structures on permeable foundations (weirs and barrages) causes uplift pressure and piping. While Bligh’s and Lane’s empirical creep theories assume linear head loss along the structure profile, Khosla’s Theory solves Laplace’s seepage equation $(\nabla^2 \phi = 0)$ using conformal mapping.
For complex floor profiles with multiple cutoff sheet piles, Khosla breaks the structure into elementary forms and applies corrections for:
Floor Thickness: Correction for actual floor depth relative to assumed zero-thickness sheet pile tops.
Mutual Interference of Piles: Calculated using the empirical formula:
$C = 19 \cdot \sqrt{\frac{D}{b'}} \cdot \left( \frac{d + D}{b} \right)$
Where $D$ is depth of affected pile, $d$ is depth of adjacent pile, $b'$ is distance between piles, and $b$ is total floor length.
Slope of Floor: Percentage corrections added or subtracted based on whether slope is in direction of or against flow.
The safe exit gradient $(G_e)$ to prevent piping failure at the downstream cutoff edge is:
$G_e = \frac{H}{d} \cdot \frac{1}{\pi \cdot \sqrt{\lambda}}$
Where $\lambda = \frac{1 + \sqrt{1 + \alpha^2}}{2}$ and $\alpha = b/d.$
Designing massive diversion barrages on deep alluvial foundations in Northern India requires precise determination of subterranean pressure distribution to prevent uplift blowout.
Modern dam and barrage rehabilitation projects deploy 2D/3D finite-element seepage modeling software (SEEP/W) to complement Khosla’s calculations. Continuous piezometer grids monitor uplift pressures beneath concrete aprons in real time, validating numerical uplift profiles against seasonal tailwater fluctuations.
Note: This technical content was curated and structured with AI assistance to support technical education.
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