| The major objective of this study was to determine the effect of hydraulic conductivity on the effectiveness and efficiency of longitudinal drains and on the time to reach steady state seepage under controlled laboratory conditions. An apparatus capable of simulating different slope angles and trench spacing was utilized in this study. By using this apparatus it was possible to obtain data regarding flow pattern, pressure heads, saturation time, influence of slope angle (&thetas;), the trench spacing (W = 2w) and seepage depth (h) under steady state and transient conditions for different values of hydraulic conductivity. Two different soil types with different values of hydraulic conductivity (k) were tested at three slope angles. For each of these slopes, three different values of trench spacing were tested. For each of these, tests were conducted at three seepage levels. Measurements of seepage removal rate were taken along the longitudinal direction of the trench under transient and steady state conditions. The piezometric pressures at selected locations in the soil slope were measured. |
