Head given Hydraulic Gradient per unit Head for Dams on Soft Foundations Calculator

Head of Water Formula:

\[ H_{Water} = \frac{Qt}{k \times N} \]

Head of Water (m):

1. What is Head given Hydraulic Gradient per unit Head?

Definition: This calculator determines the head of water based on dam discharge, soil permeability, and equipotential lines.

Purpose: It helps civil engineers analyze water pressure and flow characteristics for dams built on soft foundations.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

\[ H_{Water} = \frac{Qt}{k \times N} \]

Where:

\( H_{Water} \) — Head of water (meters)
\( Qt \) — Discharge from dam (m³/s)
\( k \) — Coefficient of permeability of soil (m/s)
\( N \) — Number of equipotential lines

Explanation: The discharge is divided by the product of soil permeability and equipotential lines to determine the hydraulic head.

3. Importance of Head Calculation

Details: Accurate head calculation is crucial for dam stability analysis, seepage control, and foundation design on soft soils.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the discharge in m³/s, soil permeability in m/s, and number of equipotential lines. All values must be > 0. Results include ±5% tolerance.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is hydraulic gradient?
A: It's the change in hydraulic head per unit distance of flow, critical for seepage analysis in dams.

Q2: How do I determine soil permeability?
A: Permeability is typically measured through laboratory tests or field pumping tests.

Q3: What are equipotential lines?
A: These are lines connecting points of equal hydraulic head in a flow net analysis.

Q4: Why is this important for soft foundations?
A: Soft soils have higher permeability and require careful head analysis to prevent piping or foundation failure.

Q5: How accurate are these calculations?
A: Results are theoretical estimates; actual field conditions may vary by ±5% or more.