1 Structures & Theories of Creep
Chapter two: Failure of Hydraulic
Chapter 2 (Part 2)
Lane's Weighted Creep Theory
Bligh, in his theory, had calculated the length of the creep, by simply
adding the horizontal creep length and the vertical creep length, thereby
making no distinction between the two creeps. However, Lane, on the basis
of his analysis carried out on about 200 dams all over the world, stipulated
that the horizontal creep is less effective in reducing uplift (or in causing
loss of head) than the vertical creep. He, therefore, suggested a weightage
factor of 1/3 for the horizontal creep, as against 1.0 for the vertical creep.
Thus in Figure below, the total Lane's creep length (L) is given by:
L = (d1 + d1) + (1/3) L1 + (d2 + d2) + (1/3) L2 + (d3 + d3)
= (1/3) (L1 + L2) + 2(d1 + d2 + d3) = (1/3) b + 2(d1 + d2 + d3)
To ensure safety against piping, according to this theory, the creep length
L must not be less than C1HL.
Where H is the head causing flow, and 𝐶𝑙 is Lane’s creep coefficient given
in table 2.
To ensure safety against piping
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Chapter two: Failure of Hydraulic
TABLE (2): VALUES OF LANE’S COENFFICIENTS (𝐂𝐥)
Safe Lane’s Hyd. Grade should be less
Type of soil 𝐶𝑙
than
1
Very fine sand or silt 8.5
8.5
1
Fine sand 7.0
7.0
1
Course sand 5.0
5.0
1 1
Gravel & sand 3.5-3.0 −
3.5 3.0
Boulders gravel and 1 1
3.0-2.5 −
sand 3.0 2.5
1 1
Clay soil 3.0-1.6 −
3.0 1.6
Limitations of Lane’s theory
Lane's theory was an improvement over Bligh's theory, but however, was
purely empirical without any rational basis, and hence, is generally not
adopted in any designs. Bligh's theory, though is still used (even after the
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Chapter two: Failure of Hydraulic
invention of modern Khosla's theory), but Lane's theory is practically
nowhere used, and is having only a theoretical importance.
Critical Exit Gradient:-
This exit gradient is said to be critical, when the upward disturbing force
on the grain is just equal to the submerged weight of the grain at the exit.
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Factor of safety (F) =
𝐺𝑒
(𝐺𝑒)The exit gradient can be taken as safe if a factor of safety as below:
𝐹 = 4 for the rock.
𝐹 = 5 for the small rock.
𝐹 = 6 for the gravel.
- In Iraq, for the alluvial soil, take 𝐹 = 8 − 10.
- We can use the following eq. to calculate the exit gradient (GE):
𝐾𝐻
𝐺𝐸 = ; 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑘 = 0.45/√1 + 𝑚
𝑑
𝑏 2
𝑚 = √1 + ( )
𝑑
b: horizontal length of the flow.
d: depth of the downstream cut-off.
𝐻 = 𝑈/𝑆 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙 – 𝐷/𝑆 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙 (level of the exit point).
Note: the exit gradient in the U/S of the structure don’t cause any piping or
scouring.
Example (2.2): You are working as a consultant for an engineering
company, and you have received a design of a barrage structure on a river
shown in figure below. It is required to check if the thickness at points X,
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4 Structures & Theories of Creep
Chapter two: Failure of Hydraulic
Y and Z is sufficient to counteract the uplift pressure (G = 2.4), and check
safety against piping if the soil type is coarse sand (C1 =5).
Solution:
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L= HORIZANTAL + VIRTICAL
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HORIZANTAL = 1.5+5.9+2+2 + (5.1² + 12.3²)0.5+10+16+1.5 =52.2 m
VIRTICAL =1+2×5.2+0.5 + (0.5² + 0.5²)0.5+2×3.2+1.5++2×4.6+1.5
= 31.2 m
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∴𝐿 = × 52.2+31.2 = 48.6 m
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H = 260-252.9 =7.1 m
H / L = 7.1/ 48.6 = 1/ 6.84 < 1/5 Ok - The structure is safe against piping.
𝐿𝑋 = 16.4 m, 𝐿𝑌 = 20.83 m, 𝐿𝑍 = 37.4 m
𝐻𝑋 = (7.1/48.6) × (48.6 – 16.4) = 4.7 m of water
𝐻𝑌 = (7.1/48.6) × (48.6 – 20.83) = 4.05 m of water
𝐻𝑍 = (7.1/48.6) × (48.6 – 37.4) = 1.63 m of water
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Chapter two: Failure of Hydraulic
𝑡𝑋 = 4.7 /(2.4-1) = 3.36 m of concrete > 2 not OK
𝑡𝑌 = 4.05 /(2.4-1) = 2.89 m of concrete < 3 OK
𝑡𝑍 = 1.63 /(2.4-1) = 1.16 m of concrete < 1.5 OK
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Chapter two: Failure of Hydraulic
Example (2.3) A hydraulic structure as shown in figure below, determine
whether the structure is safe against piping & design the thickness of floor,
the soil is light sand?
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Chapter two: Failure of Hydraulic
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Chapter two: Failure of Hydraulic
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Example (2.4) Find the minimum length of the floor (×) for the figure
below. If the thickness of the floor @A and B equal 3m and 1.8m
respectively, c=6 using lanes method.
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Chapter two: Failure of Hydraulic
Example (2.5) For the following figure: 1) Compute the hydraulic gradient.
2) The thickness of floor at point C
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Chapter two: Failure of Hydraulic
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