Evaluation of the Effect of Modulus of Elasticity in Clay Core on the Arching in the Crest of Earth Dams

The results of analysis of effect the modulus of elasticity (E) on the deposition changes are considerable. In practice, these factors can have an effect on displacement value and stress in the earth dam. Hence, the effect of this parameter on the unequal settlement and stress created in in the crest of dam is assessed using the finite element method (FEM). The results showed that by increasing the value of modulus of elasticity (E) of the clay core and decreasing the difference of modulus of elasticity in the clay core and modulus of elasticity of the crust, the vertical displacement value in the crest of dam is decreased notably. The results showed that by decreasing the difference between the modulus of elasticity (E) in clay core and crust, reaches to zero, the value of unequal settlement at the crest of dam decrease to less than 1 mm. When the modulus of elasticity (E) in clay core is less than 50% of the modulus of elasticity (E) crust, the arching increases.