Characterization and Suitability Analysis of Embankment Material with especial consideration to Core and Filter Material - A Case Study of Dendo Dam in Southern Ethiopia
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Date
2010-03
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Addis Ababauniversity
Abstract
Dendo Dam Project is one of the Bilate Irrigation Projects undertaken by Water Works
Design and Supervision Enterprise (WWDSE). The dam site is located around 347km south
of Addis Ababa and bounded by geographic coordinates of 395800-399000E and 780200-
782800N. The main purpose of this dam project is to provide irrigation to the agricultural
land which is situated in the northern part of Lake Abaya, southern part of Ethiopia. The
success of this proFigure 1ject will highly depend on the availability of suitable
embankment material as it plays great role in the design of the embankment to be
constructed. Earth and rock fill embankment dams are tolerable in most of dam site
particularly in seismic prone area and since everything from clay to large stones are used in
their construction, it requires low capital investment and can be completed in short period of
time with minimum environmental impact. However, improper use of construction material
and carelessness during investigation stage causes embankment failure by piping and
seepage, foundation blowouts, overtopping and others. Therefore, identification of the
material based on: engineering, mineralogical, and dynamic property and the site conditions
have substantial impact on the long term stability and economic feasibility of a given
Embankment project. Therefore, in the light of these important points the main objective of
the present study was to Characterize and carry out Suitability Analysis of embankment
material with special consideration to core and filter material. For this representative
samples were collected from the borrow areas, and laboratory tests were conducted to know
index and engineering properties of the soils. The laboratory test conducted on soil samples
during present study are: wet sieve analysis, Hydrometer analysis, Atterberg limits,
shrinkage limits (linear), proctor compaction, permeability and x-ray diffraction (XRD).
Test conducted on sand sample is sieve analysis. Besides, secondary data generated during
previous study has also been procured from the project office. Based on the test results
generated during both studies (previous and present) characterization and suitability
analysis of embankment material was done.
Finally, based on the results and finding of the present study, recommendations have been
made
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Keywords
Dam in Southern Ethiopia