Lecture 3 Notes Two Dimensional Flow

In the previous section the seepage problems discussed were all lab models consisting of
one-dimensional flow. In field construction, structures used for water barriers generally
involve two- or three-dimensional seepage flow, such as:

(1) Cofferdam cells (sheet pile wall) and Concrete dams are confined flow; all the
boundary conditions are well defined before the construction of flow nets.

(2) Earth dams and levees are unconfined flow; the top flow line is not defined in
advance of constructing the flow nets.

The purposes of studying the seepage conditions under or within these structures are:

1. to estimate the rate of flow (reservoirs for keeping water cut-off ability
2. seepage force ( wi) (uplift force) (erosion)
3. pore pressure distribution for effective stress analysis

In this section we will concentrate on studying two-dimensional steady flow through soil
media since most three-dimensional cases can be treated as twodimensional cases when
the size-dimension in one of the dimensions is much greater than the other two
dimensions.

The Laplace Equation, a second order partial differential equation, is the theory behind
the flow net. This equation is a common mathematical representation of the energy loss
through any resistive media (See textbook for its derivation and details). Methods
generally used for solving the Laplaces equation are:

1. Direct mathematical solution (different boundary condition for different answer)

2. Numerical solution (approximation, finite difference method)
3. Electrical analogy solution (build electric model)
4. Graphical solution (flow nets, a trial-and-error method)

Flow Net Construction

Flow net consists of Flow Lines (velocity line) and Equal Head Lines (equal potential or
equal total head). The characteristics or rules to construct a flow net for isotropic
permeability are listed below,

1. satisfy the boundary conditions

2. make flow lines intersect constant head lines at 90
3. draw curvilinear squares
Although Flow Net is a trial-and-error graphical method, an unique solution will always
be achieved when all these three construction requirements are met. A detailed
explanation of these three characteristics is shown below:

1. Boundary conditions for two dimensional flow

a. Soil water interface = constant head line

b. Impermeable boundary = flow line

2. flow lines are perpendicular to constant head lines for isotropic permeability (kx =
kz)

From Darcys law:

h
Vx = k x
x

h
Vz = k z
z

h 2 h
V = (k x ) + (k z )2
x z

For isotropic permeability, Kz = Kz = k, giving

h 2 h
V = ( ) + ( )2
x z

But

h h h
( )2 + ( )2 = = normal derivative or normal gradient
x z n
 The direction of the normal derivative is normal to the constant headlines. The
velocity, V is in the direction of this gradient and is therefore normal to the
constant headlines.

3. Consider the condition necessary to have Equal Quantities of Flow between

Flow Lines, when the head drops between constant headlines are equal.

If q1 = q2 = q; V1A1 = V2A2; ki1A1 = ki2A2;

k( h/a)(b)(1) = k ( h/c)(d)(1)
 Giving b/a = d/c = curvilinear rectangles with the same side ratios

Use b/a = d/c = 1 = curvilinear squares) easiest to draw)

Computation of quantity of flow through a net

Let nf = number of flow channels in the net

nh = number of equal head drops across the net

Then q = nf q, since q = k h (b/a) = k h; therefore q = nf k h

If H = total head from across the net

h = H/nh; q = nf k (H/nh)

q = kH (nf/nh)

nf/nh = Shape factor

Construction Procedure

1. Observe the general pattern of flow. Where does the water enter and exit the soil?
What general path does it follow?
2. Located the boundary flow lines (longest and shortest ) and constant head lines
(water entrance and exit)
3. Sketch two intermediate flow lines.
4. Begin at the constant head line where the water enters (or exits) the soil and
sketch as many constant head lines as required to reach the exit (or entrance)
constant head line by drawing curvilinear squares and 90 intersections with flow
lines.
5. Adjust these flow lines and constant headlines as necessary to produce curvilinear
squares and 90 intersections.
6. If desired, sketch additional flow lines and constant headlines to reduce the size of
the curvilinear squares.