ABSTRACT
The objective of the paper is to examine the deformation behaviour and stability of levees subjected to flooding through centrifuge model tests at 30g in a large beam centrifuge available at IIT Bombay. Three levee sections were modeled, i.e. i) levee without any drainage layer (or clogged drain), ii) levee with horizontal drainage layer and iii) levee with chimney drainage layer. The flood was induced using a custom developed and calibrated in-flight flood simulator. At the onset of flood and subsequent seepage, pore water pressures within levee section were measured using pore water transducers (PPTs). Digital image analysis was employed to trace displacement vectors, and downstream slope face movements at the onset of flooding during centrifuge tests. Levee section without any horizontal drain or clogged drain experienced a catastrophic failure. In comparison, the levee sections with horizontal drainage layer or chimney drain were found to be stable at the onset of flooding. Further, seepage and stability analyses were carried out and compared with centrifuge test results.
