Workshop No. 19
Emmitsburg, MD
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Primary Authors
David Hammer, USACE (retired)
Danny McCook, NRCS (retired)
Mark Pabst, USACE and Reclamation
Jim Talbot, NRCS (retired)
Noah Vroman, USACE
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Chapters
1. Purpose and Theory of Filters
2. Types of Filters and Applications
3. Additional Applications
4. Laboratory Testing
5. Filter Design Procedure
6. Other Design Considerations
7. Construction
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Nomenclature
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Nomenclature
OLD (Sherard)
d = base soil particle diameter
D = filter particle diameter
NEW
DxxY
D85B, D15F, D15E, etc.
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Nomenclature
NEW
DxxY
D85B, D15F, D15E, etc.
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Nomenclature
OLD
―Filter‖ and ―Drain‖
Historically used interchangeably as nouns and
verbs.
NEW
Filter = first stage
Drain = second stage
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Chapters
1. Purpose and Theory of Filters
2. Types of Filters and Applications
3. Additional Applications
4. Laboratory Testing
5. Filter Design Procedure
6. Other Design Considerations
7. Construction
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1. Purpose and Theory
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1. Purpose and Theory
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1. Purpose and Theory
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1. Purpose and Theory
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Chapters
1. Purpose and Theory of Filters
2. Types of Filters and Applications
3. Additional Applications
4. Laboratory Testing
5. Filter Design Procedure
6. Other Design Considerations
7. Construction
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2. Types of Filters & Applications
New Dams
Existing Dams
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2. Types of Filters & Applications
Slope protection
Chimney filter
Blanket filter
Toe drain
New Dam
Existing Dam
Existing Dam
Slope protection
H
Stability berm
> H2
Chimney filter
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2. Types of Filters & Applications
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2. Types of Filters & Applications
Appurtenant Structures
Conduit Filter Diaphragms
Filters Adjacent to Concrete Structures
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2. Types of Filters & Applications
Cutoff collars should NOT be used
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2. Types of Filters & Applications
Embankment/Concrete Dam Interface <new>
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2. Types of Filters & Applications
Filter protection of spillway chute walls
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2. Types of Filters & Applications
Blankets (lower 1st stage)
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2. Types of Filters & Applications
Blankets (middle 2nd stage)
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2. Types of Filters & Applications
Blankets (upper 1st stage)
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2. Types of Filters & Applications
Toe Drains – vertical trench
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2. Types of Filters & Applications
Toe Drains – trapezoidal trench
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2. Types of Filters & Applications
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2. Types of Filters & Applications
Existing toe drains <new>
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2. Types of Filters & Applications
Existing toe drains
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2. Types of Filters & Applications
Existing toe drains
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2. Types of Filters & Applications
Existing toe drains
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2. Types of Filters & Applications
Existing toe drains
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2. Types of Filters & Applications
Recommendations – 1/2
New dams – Conduit filter diaphragms are
required regardless of height, site conditions, or
hazard classification.
Full filter protection is recommended for all
significant to high hazard dams.
Cost should not be the basis for eliminating filter
protection in small dams.
When modifying existing dams, filter protection
is only added for identified deficiencies.
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2. Types of Filters & Applications
Recommendations - 2/2
Collection of seepage on pervious foundations
should not be underestimated.
Existing dams with large amounts of seepage
can be made worse by adding a filter that blocks
flow in more pervious foundation layers.
Relief wells clog with time, resulting in
diminished effectiveness. Maintenance is
required.
Clay tile and metal pipes should not be used for drains.
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Chapters
1. Purpose and Theory of Filters
2. Types of Filters and Applications
3. Additional Applications
4. Laboratory Testing
5. Filter Design Procedure
6. Other Design Considerations
7. Construction
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3. Additional Applications
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3. Additional Applications
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3. Additional Applications
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3. Additional Applications
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3. Additional Applications
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3. Additional Applications
Geotextiles in Embankment Dams
Technical Evaluation of Geotextiles
Coarse
drainfill on
downstream
side of
geotextile
provides wide
spacing of
contact points
Soil Discharge Face on soil
discharge face
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3. Additional Applications
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3. Additional Applications
Recommendations
Due to issues with clogging, geotextiles should
only be used in noncritical areas of embankment
dams.
Existing drains, when abandoned, must be
sealed to prevent the chance of any material
eroding into (them) . . .
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Chapters
1. Purpose and Theory of Filters
2. Types of Filters and Applications
3. Additional Applications
4. Laboratory Testing
5. Filter Design Procedure
6. Other Design Considerations
7. Construction
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4. Laboratory Testing
Particle Retention
Material Quality
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4. Laboratory Testing
Particle Retention
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4. Laboratory Testing
Quality
Sample Size per ASTM
Maximum size of Minimum sample
aggregate Minimum sample size size
(mm) (kilograms) (pounds)
Fine aggregate
Soundness Test
Test for Plasticity (PI)
Sand Equivalent Test
Petrographic Analysis
Vaughan Test for Cohesion (Sand Castle Test)
Compressive Strength Test
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4. Laboratory Testing
Quality
SEV > 80
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4. Laboratory Testing
Quality
Sand Castle
Test
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4. Laboratory Testing
Quality
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4. Laboratory Testing
Recommendations 1/2
Plasticity of fines should always be measured
using ASTM D4318.
When quality is suspect, self-healing potential
should be measured using Modified Sand Castle
and/or Compressive Strength Tests.
Quality requirements for filters should be
specified using test results and not qualitative
statements.
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4. Laboratory Testing
Recommendations – 2/2
Due to material quality issues, aggregate
obtained from concrete recycling operations
should never be used for filter or drain material
in embankment dams.
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Chapters
1. Purpose and Theory of Filters
2. Types of Filters and Applications
3. Additional Applications
4. Laboratory Testing
5. Filter Design Procedure
6. Other Design Considerations
7. Construction
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5. Filter Design Procedure
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5. Filter Design Procedure
Base Soil Selection
Base Soil Variability
Core
Foundation
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5. Filter Design Procedure
Base Soil Selection
Geologic Interpretation
―Alluvium‖
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5. Filter Design Procedure
Base Soil Selection
Undifferentiated
Units
Q: What is Alluvium?
Outlier
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5. Filter Design Procedure
Base Soil Selection
Filter Barriers
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5. Filter Design Procedure
Base Soil Selection
Base Soil Selection Flowcharts
In Situ Soils
Earthfill
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5. Filter Design Procedure
Regrading
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5. Filter Design Procedure
Regrading
Incorrect
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5. Filter Design Procedure
Regrading
Correct
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5. Filter Design Procedure
Regrading
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5. Filter Design Procedure
Regrading
Step 2a No Step 4
- Base soil contains gravel. - Place the base soil in a category based on
the % passing No. 200 sieve in accordance with
Yes
the base soil category's table.
Step 2b
- Base soil contains less than 15% fines.
- Base soil is not gap graded. All
yes
- Base soil is not broadly graded (i.e.,
Cu not > 6 and Cz not between 1 and 3).
Step 3
- Prepare adjusted gradation curves by:
a. Obtain a correction factor by dividing 100
by % passing No. 4 sieve size.
b. Multiply the % passing each sieve size of the
base soil < No. 4 by the correction factor.
c. Plot the regraded curve.
d. Use regraded curve to find % passing No. 200.
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5. Filter Design Procedure
Base Soil Categories
2 40 – 85
Sands, silts, clays, and silty sands
3 15 – 39
Silty and clayey sands and gravels
4 < 15
Sands and gravels
Note: mm = millimeter
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5. Filter Design Procedure
Filtering Criteria
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5. Filter Design Procedure
• Horizontal Method
• Vertical Method
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5. Filter Design Procedure
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5. Filter Design Procedure
Limit Segregation
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5. Filter Design Procedure
Determine the Gradation Band within the Control
Points
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5. Filter Design Procedure
Four Examples
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5. Filter Design Procedure
Determine the Gradation Band within the Control
Points
Particle
Retention
Filter
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5. Filter Design Procedure
Determine the Gradation Band within the Control
Points
Drainage
Filter
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5. Filter Design Procedure
Determine the Gradation Band within the Control
Points
Transition
Zone
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5. Filter Design Procedure
Determine the Gradation Band within the Control
Points
C-33,
concrete
sand
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Chapters
1. Purpose and Theory of Filters
2. Types of Filters and Applications
3. Additional Applications
4. Laboratory Testing
5. Filter Design Procedure
6. Other Design Considerations
7. Construction
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6. Other Design Considerations
Critical Gradient
Increasing
piping
potential
More complicated
than i > 1.
Decreasing
piping
potential
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6. Other Design Considerations
Chimney Dimensions
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6. Other Design Considerations
Chimney Dimensions
Filter Thickness
Width – feet
Slope 16 9 6 5 3
1:1 11.7 6.6 4.4 3.6 2.2
2:1 7.5 4.2 2.8 2.3 1.4
3:1 5.1 2.9 1.9 1.6 1.0
4:1 3.8 2.2 1.4 1.2 0.7
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6. Other Design Considerations
Chimney Dimensions
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6. Other Design Considerations
Identifying & Investigating Material Availability
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6. Other Design Considerations
Identifying & Investigating Material Availability
Vertical Face is
Required for
Examination
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6. Other Design Considerations
Identifying & Investigating Material Availability
Sand
Gravel
Cobble
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6. Other Design Considerations
Identifying & Investigating Material Availability
Trench
Boulders
Spoil pile
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6. Other Design Considerations
Identifying & Investigating Material Availability
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6. Other Design Considerations
Identifying & Investigating Material Availability
Commonly Available Filter Materials
Sieve size Percent passing, by weight
3/8-inch 100
No. 4 95-100
No. 8 80-100
No. 16 50-85
No. 30 25-60
No. 50 5-30
No. 100 0-10
No. 2001 0-22
1 Requirement beyond the ASTM C33 designation.
2 Two percent stockpile, 5 percent in-place.
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6. Other Design Considerations
Identifying & Investigating Material Availability
Commonly Available Filter Materials
Sieve size Blend 5791 No. 8 No. 89
2 inches — — —
1½ inches 100 — —
1 inch 90-100 — —
¾ inch 75-85 — —
½ inch — 100 100
3/8 inch 45-60 85-100 90-100
No. 4 20-35 10-30 20-55
No. 8 5-15 0-10 5-30
No. 16 0-5 0-5 0-10
No. 50 — — 0-5
1 This gradation is a blend, in equal parts, of gradation Nos. 5, 7, and 9. It is
not an ASTM standard aggregate.
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6. Other Design Considerations
Recommendations
Inclined Chimneys should be > 5‘ wide.
Vertical Chimneys should be > 3‘ wide.
Blankets should be > 18‖ thick.
When designing drainage elements on coarse
foundations, the best understanding of
foundation conditions will not be available until
after excavation.
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Chapters
1. Purpose and Theory of Filters
2. Types of Filters and Applications
3. Additional Applications
4. Laboratory Testing
5. Filter Design Procedure
6. Other Design Considerations
7. Construction
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7. Construction
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7. Construction
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7. Construction
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7. Construction
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7. Construction
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7. Construction
Front to Back
or
Belt Segregation
Roll Down
Segregation
Chimney
Crossing
Belly
Dump
Spreading
Blading
Spreading
Spreader
Box
Spreading
Double
Bin
Spreader
Box
Spreading
Dumping
into
Spreader
Box
Spreading
Towing
Spreader
Box
Spreading
Towing
Spreader
Box
Spreading
Truck
Mounted
Conveyor
Bulking
Compaction Specification
Minimum 70% relative density.
Per ASTM D4253 and D4254.
Field Compaction
Vibratory Compactors.
Compactor Operation.
Compaction of Contacts with Adjacent Materials.
Field Compaction
Damage to Pipes
Compaction by ‗bucket thumping‘.
Wheel rolling.
Haunches not backfilled.
Equipment crossings without sufficient cover.
Missing Filter
Trench is
Trench sides too deep
are too steep for this
Filter width
too
Drain too
narrow*
narrow*
USACE – No plans.