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Geophysical Characterisation and Monitoring of Earth Embankment Dams / RICHARD COTTRELL

Swansea University Author: RICHARD COTTRELL

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Abstract

Geophysics has become fundamental in characterising earth embankment dams and identifying preferential seepage pathways, problem areas, and structural defects. The issue of non-uniqueness is profound in the interpretation of geophysical data, with features often attributed to multiple potential sour...

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Published: Swansea, Wales, UK 2023
Institution: Swansea University
Degree level: Master of Research
Degree name: MSc by Research
Supervisor: Kulessa, B.
URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa63575
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first_indexed 2023-06-02T15:17:36Z
last_indexed 2023-06-02T15:17:36Z
id cronfa63575
recordtype RisThesis
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spelling v2 63575 2023-06-02 Geophysical Characterisation and Monitoring of Earth Embankment Dams 27a49ee82b7769a56f3a155869664c6d RICHARD COTTRELL RICHARD COTTRELL true false 2023-06-02 Geophysics has become fundamental in characterising earth embankment dams and identifying preferential seepage pathways, problem areas, and structural defects. The issue of non-uniqueness is profound in the interpretation of geophysical data, with features often attributed to multiple potential sources. This project tackles this issue by applying a multidisciplinary approach comprising traditional techniques to a study site in South Wales. These techniques comprised ground conductivity, magnetometry, and Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT). The computation of normalised chargeability data from an Induced Polarisation (IP) survey, normally used for mineral exploration, was applied to delineate between clay and moisture rich areas. This eliminated the issue of non-uniqueness between these two subsurface conditions. The application of these techniques led to successful characterisation of the embankment in terms of its engineered and natural components and identified a potential seepage pathway attributed to surface waters.The Self-Potential (SP) method was evolved into a monitoring solution, building on the research and development of TerraDat Ltd’s SPiVolt system. A methodology was developed to efficiently fabricate and install an SP monitoring network. SP monitoring confirmed the presence of the preferential seepage pathway hypothesised through the characterisation survey and identified a second pathway through the dam’s core.Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water have since used the results of this project to design a targeted grouting campaign and install surface drainage at the site. Comprehensive understanding of the material composition and temporal variations of subsurface conditions is considered essential for ensuring dam and reservoir owners achieve their aims of climate resilience and asset protection. The geophysical characterisation and monitoring methodology presented in this thesis provides an effective low-cost solution that can be applied to multiple scenarios such as landslide investigations, coal tip stability assessments and other hydrogeological problems. E-Thesis Swansea, Wales, UK Geophysics, Monitoring, Dams and Reservoirs 14 4 2023 2023-04-14 COLLEGE NANME COLLEGE CODE Swansea University Kulessa, B. Master of Research MSc by Research KESS 2 East KESS 2 East 2023-10-27T16:03:19.4282188 2023-06-02T16:15:02.4965952 Faculty of Science and Engineering School of Biosciences, Geography and Physics - Geography RICHARD COTTRELL 1 63575__27688__6db62d2609a944a6b5fd8fbe226975c3.pdf 2023_Cottrell_R.final.63575.pdf 2023-06-02T16:18:26.3881160 Output 6468637 application/pdf E-Thesis – open access true Copyright: The Author, Richard Cottrell, 2023. true eng
title Geophysical Characterisation and Monitoring of Earth Embankment Dams
spellingShingle Geophysical Characterisation and Monitoring of Earth Embankment Dams
RICHARD COTTRELL
title_short Geophysical Characterisation and Monitoring of Earth Embankment Dams
title_full Geophysical Characterisation and Monitoring of Earth Embankment Dams
title_fullStr Geophysical Characterisation and Monitoring of Earth Embankment Dams
title_full_unstemmed Geophysical Characterisation and Monitoring of Earth Embankment Dams
title_sort Geophysical Characterisation and Monitoring of Earth Embankment Dams
author_id_str_mv 27a49ee82b7769a56f3a155869664c6d
author_id_fullname_str_mv 27a49ee82b7769a56f3a155869664c6d_***_RICHARD COTTRELL
author RICHARD COTTRELL
author2 RICHARD COTTRELL
format E-Thesis
publishDate 2023
institution Swansea University
college_str Faculty of Science and Engineering
hierarchytype
hierarchy_top_id facultyofscienceandengineering
hierarchy_top_title Faculty of Science and Engineering
hierarchy_parent_id facultyofscienceandengineering
hierarchy_parent_title Faculty of Science and Engineering
department_str School of Biosciences, Geography and Physics - Geography{{{_:::_}}}Faculty of Science and Engineering{{{_:::_}}}School of Biosciences, Geography and Physics - Geography
document_store_str 1
active_str 0
description Geophysics has become fundamental in characterising earth embankment dams and identifying preferential seepage pathways, problem areas, and structural defects. The issue of non-uniqueness is profound in the interpretation of geophysical data, with features often attributed to multiple potential sources. This project tackles this issue by applying a multidisciplinary approach comprising traditional techniques to a study site in South Wales. These techniques comprised ground conductivity, magnetometry, and Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT). The computation of normalised chargeability data from an Induced Polarisation (IP) survey, normally used for mineral exploration, was applied to delineate between clay and moisture rich areas. This eliminated the issue of non-uniqueness between these two subsurface conditions. The application of these techniques led to successful characterisation of the embankment in terms of its engineered and natural components and identified a potential seepage pathway attributed to surface waters.The Self-Potential (SP) method was evolved into a monitoring solution, building on the research and development of TerraDat Ltd’s SPiVolt system. A methodology was developed to efficiently fabricate and install an SP monitoring network. SP monitoring confirmed the presence of the preferential seepage pathway hypothesised through the characterisation survey and identified a second pathway through the dam’s core.Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water have since used the results of this project to design a targeted grouting campaign and install surface drainage at the site. Comprehensive understanding of the material composition and temporal variations of subsurface conditions is considered essential for ensuring dam and reservoir owners achieve their aims of climate resilience and asset protection. The geophysical characterisation and monitoring methodology presented in this thesis provides an effective low-cost solution that can be applied to multiple scenarios such as landslide investigations, coal tip stability assessments and other hydrogeological problems.
published_date 2023-04-14T16:03:17Z
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score 11.035874

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