ASSESSMENT OF SOIL COMPACTION AND SHEAR STRENGTH OF THE SIDE DAM OF THE “MAZIARNIA” WATER RESERVOIR

Abstract

Aim of study The aim of the study was to assess soil compaction of the side body of the “B” earth dam in the “Maziarnia” water reservoir in Wilcza Wola in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship by using a conical and a vane probe of a dynamic probing light. Shear strength parameters of soils embedded in the dam’s body were also determined, i.e. undrained shear strength basing on field tests and the angle of internal friction and cohesion in a direct shear apparatus. Materials and methods Field tests included the determination of bulk density of soil and sounding with a dynamic probing light together with identifying the undrained shear strength in four sections located on the downstream slope over a section of about 300 m. Grain composition and compaction parameters were measured in laboratory tests in the Proctor apparatus. Shear strength parameters were also determined, i.e. the angle of internal friction and cohesion in a direct shear apparatus on samples without and with saturation during consolidation and shearing. Results and conclusions The analysis of obtained results indicates that the values of degree of compaction and compaction index – estimated on the basis of their correlations – differed significantly depending on the probe vane. It was found that for the most part the soils making the side dam’s body were characterized by low values of compaction index. However, the stability of the entire object was assessed as high due to high values of shear strength parameters from the vane probe test and the direct shear apparatus. Analysis of the results of shear strength tests in field and laboratory conditions showed no clear correlations between the tested parameters.