Geo-Slope (Seep W http://www.geo-slope.com/products/seepw.aspx)

and Soil Vision (SVFlux https://soilvision.com/products/svoffice5/svflux/ge/) are both good for Dam design seepage analyses. (Perhaps Seep W is more common in practice for that matter)

As for Ksat, the options would be to perform permeability lab tests (falling or constant head tests depending on your material.  Another alternative would be field permeability test (Guelph Permeameteror or  Infiltrometers).  In addition, SoilVision provides a comprehensive database for a wide range of materials in case you were looking for an estimate of permeability coefficient https://www.soilvision.com/subdomains/soildatabase.com/databases.shtml

Hope this helps,

Ahlam 

Thank you very much dear Ahlam for your comments and references. The foundation of dam consist of semi fracturing hard granite-gneiss. Therefore the boreholes drilled with different depth the fractures grouted. I want to know the permeability of such materials.

Suggest looking at the grout takes or rather injection rates. Use the higher w:c ratios to determine lugeon values - this will give you a starting point in your analysis. Assume this to be the equivalent hydraulic conductivity prior to grouting. You'll need to break the rock mass into similar lugeon zones. As per the grout curtain efficiency - you'll need to ascertain how the grouting was done, closure criteria and desired final permeabilty.

Dear Abdulhalim Zaryab,

the answer of Ahlam Abdulnabi was quite o.K. It will be help you, if you want.

Some notes from me.

I understood you so, that you would like the seepage flow in the dam and in the dam foundation modulate, and you for that looking a relevant program system? I understood you so, that you are look for information about permeability coefficients for the dam foundation, which you describe as: fracturing hard granite-gneiss?

I can provide from a study of the Central European formations "Granite-Gneiss" the following values list (line 1 and 2):

Granite, Gneiss: Total void volume = (0 … 5)% - see v.Wolkersdorf/Broder.

Of course, you have to know the permeabilities of the dam foundation for a seepage-model, but not only for that, but also for the dam itself and the transitional zone. Without boundary- and transition conditions, the task can not be solved.

The large range in the values is depend in particular on the existence and orientation of interfaces (mechanical defects figure).You could your calculations begin with an average mean value Granite-gneiss of: 7,595 E-07 ms-1 and the boundaries select as follows: 1,250 E-06  ms-1 > 7,595 E-07 ms-1 > 2,143 E-08 ms-1.

In the transitional zone dam-foundation are often present a weathered granites layer.

Weathered Granite: kf – value = (10-6 … 10-5) ms-1.

This is just a 1st suggestion, otherwise, you can vary the full range of values of permeability, see table.

The type of dam is a RCC gravity dam. I don`t know if the dam was additional covered? If the dam really watertight? So could  be the distribution of permeability across the dam body from interest!

I have attached for you as an example a seepage-model of the dam “Breitenbach”/Germany.The modeling has executed: Lahmeyer Hydroprojekt GmbH. It is updated from time to time.

For seepage flow models design are often used in Germany: One/Two/Three Dimensional HYDRUS (1D/2D/3D) from U.S. Salinity Laboratory, Riverside, CA; Using Numerical Solutions, Variably-Saturated soils and rock - Software for Simulating Water Flow and Solute Transport;  http://www.pc-progress.com/en/Default.aspx?Search&search=Seepage%20flow or also Visual MODFLOW /  Waterloo Hydrogeologic  [Nova Metrix Ground Monitoring (Canada) Ltd.]; http://www.novametrixgm.com/groundwater-services-about

For professional use, you have to respect the ICOLD Bulletins!

Ahlam Abdulnabi has handed to you a list of computer programs. You should make a selection for themselves, if you want.

I would advise against from a modeling without own investigations (Slug and Bail tests, if possible).

I hope, I could help you. Good luck!

Michael Lersow

Thank you very much dear Darren and Michael for your comprehensive comment.

Dear Abdulhalim Zaryab,

In your answer-mail you bring the following expression: “Please kindly guide me how can I find/determine the coefficient of permeability after grouting and drain efficiency by depth.”

Here my suggestions: If before the construction of the dam were no permeability determinations, then you can later try to make a seepage catching on the air side. A seepage catching is also very useful for the stability control (hydraulic safety and long term durability of retaining structure).

I initially attached for you a publication of Dam Authority of the Federal State of Saxony. Sadly only in German. You'll finding therein some very interesting solutions, both, for the dam as well as the transitional zone.

For the dam foundation it is possible that screen wells on the air side could  be installed, where the screen wells has filters at different depths. From the seepage inflows, one can determine the depth-dependent permeabilities by backwards-calculation. The same is reached by variation of permeability.

Both at a large thickness of the permeable layer as well as at high groundwater levels etc. is a useful seepage determination for the dam foundation not possible.

Good luck

Michael Lersow

Thank you Dr. Michael Lersow for your comments and reference. The Lugeon and Lufran tests were conducted before grouting and based on have been calculated seepage of dam. Based on Lugeon test recommended that the foundation of dam and abutments needed to be grouted. For this case the grouting conducted. But after grouting did not conducted any Lugeon test. Now, I try to know the permeability coefficient of dam foundation after grouting. Can I apply the Lugeon value which obtained from conducted test before grouting or I should observe the efficiency of grouting? Yes, the groundwater level in dam foundation is high (around -2m) and in abutment (around -20 m).

Dear Abdulhalim,

If you are able, you should translate and then read the literature which I have sent to you because you will find everything in it. Of course, you have to consider the grouting. Just so you get a before-after-comparison.

If a seepage catching is present before grouting and after grouting, you would have solved the problem. But, alone the knowledge about that, makes it possible, that you can develop a new monitoring method.

All the best