12.07.2015 Views

Technical Manual: Conduits through Embankment Dams (FEMA 484)

Technical Manual: Conduits through Embankment Dams (FEMA 484)

Technical Manual: Conduits through Embankment Dams (FEMA 484)

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Chapter 5Foundation and <strong>Embankment</strong> DamPrevious chapters have discussed the importance of placing the conduit in the mostfavorable location within the embankment dam to reduce problems with foundationand embankment settlement. In this chapter, the reactions of soil and rockfoundation horizons and how they can affect the design of the conduit are discussed.If conduits are located on foundations that are not uniform, differential settlementcan lead to cracking and joint problems in the conduit. If foundations consist of lowstrength or highly compressible materials, unacceptable deformations and lateralmovements can damage the conduit.Other discussions in this chapter address how the settlement of embankments nearconduits can create hydraulic fracture mechanisms. Design approaches effective inpreventing this problem are included. The importance of careful design ofexcavations made to install conduits is extensively discussed. Special attention isrecommended for any excavations made transverse to the centerline of theembankment where the excavation backfill may be different in compressibility thanthe adjacent foundation materials. Recommendations for backfilling soils nearconduits are provided. Problematic soils, such as broadly graded soils and dispersiveclays are defined, and potential problems associated with them are also discussed.5.1 Excavation and foundation preparationIdeally, sound rock provides the best foundation conditions for conduits. However,ideal conditions are rare, and many embankment dam sites have marginal foundationconditions.If the underlying foundation is highly compressible, subject to collapse uponsaturation, or has other objectionable properties, the conduit could be damaged fromexcessive settlement. In some cases, unsuitable foundation soils must be removedand replaced to prevent damage to the conduit. Backfill used in excavations forconduits must be compacted uniformly under the conduit. Excavations should bewide enough to accommodate motorized compaction equipment. The side slopes ofthe excavation must be flat enough to avoid differential settlement of theembankment dam near the conduit.113

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