Hydraulic models and finite elements for monitoring of an earth dam, by using GNSS techniques

Abstract

This work gives a comparison between different mathematical models for the evaluation of the movements of an earthen dam situated between Bivona and Alessandria della Rocca, in the province of Agrigento (AG), Italy. The models selected are of a hydraulic nature, already tested on concrete dams, and finite elements models which, on the contrary, exploit geotechnical parameters. The results obtained from the comparison of the displacement planimetric components and the relative time series of data over a period of two years appear to be fully satisfactory, in fact using both models of a hydraulic and geotechnical nature, we reach residues of just mm. To support this work, a monitoring procedure using GNSS techniques was taken into consideration. After that time series of the movements of some points at the top of the dam were attained in order to support the data obtained using the models, and to find the one that gives a better convergence.