Evaluating temporal changes in hydraulic conductivities near karst-terrain dams: Dokan Dam (Kurdistan-Iraq)

Dam sites provide an outstanding opportunity to explore dynamic changes in the groundwater flow regime because of the high hydraulic gradient rapidly induced in their surroundings. This paper investigates the temporal changes of the hydraulic conductivities of the rocks and engineered structures via a thorough analysis of hydrological data collected at the Dokam Dam, Iraq, and a numerical model that simulates the Darcian component of the seepage. Analysis of the data indicates increased seepage with time and suggests that the hydraulic conductivity of the rocks increased as the conductivity of the grout curtain decreased. Conductivity changes on the order of 10-8m/s, in a 20-yr period were quantified using the numerical analysis. It is postulated that the changes in hydraulic properties in the vicinity of Dokan Dam are due to suspension of fine materials, interbedded in small fissures in the rocks, and re-settlement of these materials along the curtain. Consequently, the importance of the grout curtain to minimize the downstream seepage, not only as a result of the conductivity contrast with the rocks, but also as a barrier to suspended clay sediments, is demonstrated. The numerical analysis also helped us to estimate the proportion of the disconnected karstic conduit flow to the overall flow.

Improvement of accuracy in a free bending test for material characterization

The effect of secondary (anticlastic) curvature and the stress state on the measurement of material properties in a free bending test is studied in order to improve the accuracy of the test. Experiments and numerical analysis are conducted on a medium strength 304L stainless steel and high strength dual-phase steels, DP780 and DP1000. The dependence of the secondary curvature on sample geometry is analysed and correction factors are introduced to improve the accuracy of the calculation of material properties when using plane strain or uniaxial stress two-dimensional assumptions. A free bending test procedure is proposed to characterize material behaviour close to yield. This will allow the quick and simple analysis of material properties for bending-dominated forming processes such as roll forming.