CVEN 5758 - Flow Processes in Soils - Fall 2004
| Instructor: | Dobroslav Znidarcic |
| Office: | ECOT 649 |
| Phone : | 303-492-7577 |
| e-mail: | Znidarci@spot.colorado.edu |
| Office hours: | Tuesday 1-2 p.m. and Friday 11-12 a.m. |
| Reddi: Seepage in Soils - Principles and Applications, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 2003 | |
| Scott: Principles of Soil Mechanics, Addison-Wesley Publishing co., Inc. (Chapters 3, 4 and 5) |
| Freeze and Chary: Groundwater, Prentice Hall, Inc. | |
| Cedergren: Seepage, Drainage and Flow Nets, John Wiley and Sons, Inc. | |
| Corey: Mechanics of Immiscible Fluids in Porous Media, Water Resources Publications | |
| Fredlund and Rahardjo: Soil Mechanics for Unsaturated Soils, John Wiley and Sons, Inc. | |
| Robert L. Schiffman: Theories of Consolidation, University of Colorado Press, 2000 | |
| Notes prepared for the class |
Fundamental principles of the seepage theory and flow nets are reviewed for saturated flow in anisotropic and heterogeneous porous media. Field and laboratory techniques for the hydraulic conductivity determination are discussed and problem-solving techniques using finite element numerical models are practiced in the course.
The saturated seepage review is followed by a thorough discussion of nonlinear finite strain consolidation and desiccation theory with the applications in the disposal of mine and dredging waste. Laboratory and filed testing methods for slurry characterization are discussed and demonstrated in the course. A numerical model is used to solve problems obtained from several case studies in dredging and mine waste disposal. Merits of various disposal strategies under diverse climatic conditions are evaluated.
Finally, unsaturated flow theory is presented, including the determination and selection of the unsaturated flow material characteristics. Suction-saturation and saturation-hydraulic conductivity relationships are discussed in detail. A finite element numerical model is used to solve unsaturated flow problems related to landfill covers, slope stability, mudflow triggering, embankment dams, mine waste disposal and subaireal deposition of soil slurries.
Course outline:| Week | Subject |
| 1 | Introduction - Flow related problems Basic principles, continuity equation, Darcy’s law |
| 2 | Governing equation and boundary conditions Solution methods for saturated flow |
| 3 | Construction and use of flow nets Permeability measurements |
| 4 | Applications Midterm exam |
| 5-6 | Consolidation and Desiccation, governing equations |
| 7 | Constitutive properties, measurement principles |
| 8 | Solution methods |
| 9-10 | Applications and examples |
| 11 | Unsaturated flow, governing equation |
| 12 | Constitutive properties, measurement principles |
| 13 | Compressible pore fluid (air-water mixture) |
| 14 | Solution methods for unsaturated flow |
| 15 | Examples of unsaturated flow |
| Grading policy: | Homework 30%, Midterm Exam 30%, Final Exam 40% A-90%-100%; B-75%-90%; C-60%-75% |
Final exam: Tuesday, December 14th, 1:30pm - 4:00pm
