Finite-element modeling of streaming potentials due to seepage: Study of a dam

1991 Society of Exploration Geophysicists. All rights reserved. Streaming Potentials are of particular interest in engineer?ing and groundwater geophysics, since they offer an economic means of detecting seepage from dams, reservoir floors, and drainage structures (e.g., Butler, 1989); in addition, zones of water movement in aquifers and unstable masses, such as land?slides, can be monitored (Dobecki and Romig, 1983). Stream?ing potentials are produced when electrolytic solutions flow through porous media such as rocks and soils. Field equations describing the macroscopic theory of streaming potentials can be derived by means of irreversible thermodynamics (Onsager, 1931; Nourbehecht, 1963; Sill, 1983). A brief review of the theory is given, and it is shown how finite element modeling can be successfully applied to accu?rately model streaming potential anomalies due to subsurface water movement. For the purpose of illustration, we chose the experimental model of the Karlsruhe Dam which is located on the property of the Federal Waterway Engineering and Research Institute, Karlsruhe, Germany. Finite element modeling of the hydraulic and electrokinetic processes show good agreement with hydraulic measurements inside and streaming potential measurements on the down stream face of the Karlsruhe Dam.

Finite-element modeling of streaming potentials due to seepage: Study of a dam Conference Paper