Pore pressure development in the mixed clay core of Karkheh dam

摘要

Pure plastic clays have been widely used as core material for embankment dams. Nevertheless, the considerable differences between the stiffness of the core and shell materials in these dams and the differential behaviour of these two zones have been of major concern. The arching phenomenon, differential settlements, excess pore pressure during construction, and difficulties in preparing the fine transitional filter materials are among the problems often encountered. This paper discusses the advantages of using clay mixed with gravel in an optimum mixture, instead of pure plastic clay, as the core material.