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2.2.3
2.2.3.1 General
The term foundation, as used herein, includes both the valley floor and the
abutments upon which the embankment will be built. A foundation for an
earthfill dam has two essential requirements: (1) it must provide stable support
for the embankment under all conditions of saturation and loading, and (2) it must
provide sufficient resistance to seepage to prevent internal erosion or excessive
loss of water.
Although the foundation is not actually designed, certain provisions for treatment
of the foundation are provided in designs to ensure that the essential requirements
will be met. Such measures may include excavation of unsatisfactory materials,
foundation grouting, material densification, use of filters, and surface treatment
measures such as shaping, slush grouting, and dental concrete. Each foundation
presents its own separate and distinct problems that require corresponding special
treatment and preparation. Various methods for stabilizing weak foundations,
reducing seepage in permeable foundations, shaping to reduce differential
settlement to acceptable levels, and types and locations of devices for intercepting
underseepage must be adapted to local conditions.
Surveys and compiled statistics vary [1, 2, 9, 10], but it appears that between
10 and 20 percent of embankment dam failures, and close to 50 percent of
incidents at embankment dams, can be attributed to the foundation. These
statistics indicate the importance of understanding the foundation. The
foundation must be adequately explored to characterize its properties. The data
from the exploration program is interpreted by engineering geologists and must
reveal subsurface conditions to permit safe and economical design of foundation
treatment. The exploration program should be a continuing process (see Final
Design Process [11]) that begins with inception of the project and continues
through construction. The program should build on data from previous
investigations as the design progresses. It is guided and adjusted by geologic
interpretation of the data. The accuracy of the geologic picture should be
continuously evaluated as additional data become available during all phases of
design and construction.
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DS-13(2)-10
December 2012
Rock Foundations
2.2.3.2.1 General
Foundations consisting of rock are generally considered more competent than soil
foundations. Even foundations of weaker rock are generally preferred over soil
foundations. The preference for a rock foundation is undoubtedly justified where
the rock mass is generally homogeneous and competent; however, because rock
DS-13(2)-10
December 2012
2-11