Nature and Mechanisms of Displacements at Wolf Creek Dam, Jamestown, Kentucky
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Kent State University / OhioLINK
2013
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ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-kent13850424722021-08-03T06:20:37Z Nature and Mechanisms of Displacements at Wolf Creek Dam, Jamestown, Kentucky Wiles, Sarah Grace Geology Wolf Creek Dam embankment settlement displacements upstream movement The Wolf Creek Dam was constructed from 1941 to 1952 and is located on the Cumberland River approximately 20 miles from Jamestown, Kentucky. Design deficiencies associated with the foundation and construction techniques of the 1930s and 1940s have resulted in uncontrolled seepage through the karst limestone foundation and piping problems at the project. Distress indicators were noticed in 1967, resulting in the installation of a seepage cutoff wall, completed in 1979. During the early 2000s instrumentation data began to indicate the dam was in distress once again. Piezometers water levels were rising, some were even flowing water. Settlement monuments showed increasing rates of settlement and upstream deformation. Crack pins installed on the crest of the dam confirmed the same settlement and deformation. Inclinometers installed in the diaphragm wall indicated that the wall had flexed and there was upstream deformation. The majority of the concerns for the dam lie in an area defined as Critical Area 1, which is located from Station 34+00 to 38+50.This research was conducted to investigate the nature of the vertical settlement and lateral displacement in the embankment occurring at the Wolf Creek Dam as well as the mechanisms responsible for these displacements. Field work in this study was conducted to collect and interpret instrumentation readings and to document any visual signs of movement. A subsurface investigation was performed to collect samples of the embankment soil for testing. Laboratory work included Atterberg limit, direct shear, and consolidation testing to determine the engineering properties of the embankment soil. The embankment monuments show as much as 5.6 inches (14.1 cm) of vertical settlement and 1.4 inches (3.7 cm) of lateral movement in the upstream direction. The diaphragm wall monuments show as much as 1.5 inches (3.9 cm) of vertical settlement and 2.0 inches (5.1 cm) of lateral movement in the upstream direction. Inclinometers show as much as 4.2 inches (10.7 cm) of lateral movement in the upstream direction. Crack pins show as much as 1.8 inches (4.5 cm) of lateral movement.The embankment soil is classified as a clay of low plasticity (CL) with the exception of one sample, which is classified as a clay of low plasticity to silt with low plasticity (CL-ML). X-ray diffraction tests show that the soil samples do not contain any expansive minerals that could result in swelling. Stability analysis indicates that the factor of safety for the upstream embankment slope is 1.48. It can be concluded that the settlement and upstream deformation in the embankment is caused by a decrease in the shear strength and an increase in the stress on the embankment, mainly brought on by lowering of the pool level and construction activities. Further confirmation of these conclusions can be obtained by continuing to monitor the project after the pool is restored to normal operations and by comparing the response of Wolf Creek Dam to the response of other earthfill dams during extended periods of pool reduction. 2013-12-04 English text Kent State University / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1385042472 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1385042472 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws. |
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NDLTD |
| language |
English |
| sources |
NDLTD |
| topic |
Geology Wolf Creek Dam embankment settlement displacements upstream movement |
| spellingShingle |
Geology Wolf Creek Dam embankment settlement displacements upstream movement Wiles, Sarah Grace Nature and Mechanisms of Displacements at Wolf Creek Dam, Jamestown, Kentucky |
| author |
Wiles, Sarah Grace |
| author_facet |
Wiles, Sarah Grace |
| author_sort |
Wiles, Sarah Grace |
| title |
Nature and Mechanisms of Displacements at Wolf Creek Dam, Jamestown, Kentucky |
| title_short |
Nature and Mechanisms of Displacements at Wolf Creek Dam, Jamestown, Kentucky |
| title_full |
Nature and Mechanisms of Displacements at Wolf Creek Dam, Jamestown, Kentucky |
| title_fullStr |
Nature and Mechanisms of Displacements at Wolf Creek Dam, Jamestown, Kentucky |
| title_full_unstemmed |
Nature and Mechanisms of Displacements at Wolf Creek Dam, Jamestown, Kentucky |
| title_sort |
nature and mechanisms of displacements at wolf creek dam, jamestown, kentucky |
| publisher |
Kent State University / OhioLINK |
| publishDate |
2013 |
| url |
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1385042472 |
| work_keys_str_mv |
AT wilessarahgrace natureandmechanismsofdisplacementsatwolfcreekdamjamestownkentucky |
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1719434944794591232 |