Seepage Control of Irrigation Water: A Critical Constituent in Disaster Avoidance and Loess Project Management

Year 2025, Volume: 1 Issue: 8, 79 - 93

Serges Mendomo Meye , Paul Fabrice Nguema , Michelle Princesse Tchamake Fomeza , Serge Engueno Awono

Abstract

Water penetration in loess slopes has a notable impact on the physical and mechanical attributes of the soil. Within loess landscapes, certain pathways are favored for water seepage, highlighting the necessity of investigating preferential flow to grasp the water seepage process in loess. The identification of cracks, particularly microscale cracks, is facilitated through the utilization of electrical resistivity tomography and geological radar techniques. Furthermore, to monitor the seepage process, an in-situ single-ring infiltrometer test is performed in the hidden fracture locations. The findings from these on-site tests serve as the basis for developing both a single-seepage model and a dual-seepage model, which aim to replicate the seepage process occurring in the preferential channel. For engineering purposes, the examination of a landslip that occurred at the rear edge of most loess plateau is underway. Within the numerical framework, two types of irrigation conditions are simulated: high intensity with short duration and low intensity with extended duration. In instances of high-intensity irrigation, the preferential flow rate takes precedence and exerts a beneficial effect on seepage. Rapid infiltration of irrigation water occurs in the deep soil, causing groundwater levels to rise, while the top matrix region remains devoid of saturation. In instances of low intensity, matrix flow takes precedence, resulting in a saturated seepage condition. Seepage control of excessive irrigation water plays a crucial role in disaster prevention and the effective management of loess projects.

Keywords

Hidden Crack, Preferential Channel, Seepage Process, Dual-Seepage Model, management of loess projects, seepage control of irrigation water

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