Detection of Internal Erosion in Embankment Dams Using Temperature Measurements

Temperature measurements represent methods for seepage monitoring of embankment dams. These procedures are able to detect the effects caused by time dependent processes such as internal erosion. The temperature in an embankment dam depends mainly on the temperature in the air and the water temperature in the upstream reservoir which vary seasonally. By temperature measurements, anomalous seepage areas could be located and the seepage flow could be estimated only after some days investigation. This paper presents analyses of monthly temperature measurements as input data of some case studies for seepage evaluations and internal erosion detections.

Keywords:

embankment dam , internal erosion , seepage monitoring , temperature