Pressure in Seepage: Why Is It (H1 + z + (h/H2)(z))(y_w)?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the calculation of pore pressure in a seepage context, specifically examining the formula for pore pressure at a point C in relation to hydrostatic pressure and contributions from seepage flow. The scope includes theoretical aspects and mathematical reasoning related to fluid mechanics in porous media.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the formula for pore pressure at point C, suggesting it should only include the hydrostatic component without the seepage contribution.
  • Others explain that the total pore pressure at C includes both hydrostatic pressure and an additional contribution from seepage flow, expressed as ##\frac{h}{H_2}z\gamma_w##.
  • A participant raises a scenario involving downward seepage, questioning why the pressure at point B is expressed differently and whether it should increase with depth.
  • Some participants clarify that while hydrostatic pressure increases with depth, the contribution from downward seepage involves a pressure gradient that affects the overall pressure distribution.
  • There is a discussion about the relationship between pressures at points A, C, and B in the context of downward seepage, with some asserting that pressure decreases from A to B.
  • Participants inquire about the term ##\frac{k}{\mu}vz## and its significance in the context of seepage pressure, with one mentioning that it relates to Darcy's Law.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the contributions of hydrostatic pressure and seepage to total pore pressure, with no consensus reached on the correct interpretation of pressure variations in the context of downward seepage.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions regarding the conditions of seepage flow and the definitions of terms used in the equations are not fully articulated, leaving room for interpretation and potential ambiguity in the mathematical relationships discussed.

fonseh
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Homework Statement


Can anyone explain why the pore pressure at C is given by( H1 + z + (h/ H2)(z) ) (y_w) ?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


Shouldnt it be ( H1 + z + ) (y_w) only ?
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The quantity ##(H+z)\gamma_w## is the hydrostatic contribution to the pore pressure at C. The additional contribution of seepage flow to the pore pressure at C is ##\frac{k}{\mu}vz##, where z is the pore flow distance between C and A, k is the permeability, ##\mu## is the water viscosity, and v is the seepage velocity. For point B, the contribution of seepage flow to the pore pressure at B is ##\frac{k}{\mu}vH_2=h\gamma_w##, where ##H_2## is the pore flow distance between B and A and h is the additional head above the water table as a result of seepage flow. So, from the relationship at B, we have:
$$\frac{k}{\mu}v=\frac{h}{H_2}\gamma_w$$Therefore, substituting this into the additional contribution of seepage flow to the pore pressure at C, we obtain ##\frac{h}{H_2}z\gamma_w##. Therefore, the total pore pressure at C is $$(H+z)\gamma_w+\frac{h}{H_2}z\gamma_w=\left(H+z+\frac{h}{H_2}z\right)\gamma_w$$
 
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Chestermiller said:
The quantity ##(H+z)\gamma_w## is the hydrostatic contribution to the pore pressure at C. The additional contribution of seepage flow to the pore pressure at C is ##\frac{k}{\mu}vz##, where z is the pore flow distance between C and A, k is the permeability, ##\mu## is the water viscosity, and v is the seepage velocity. For point B, the contribution of seepage flow to the pore pressure at B is ##\frac{k}{\mu}vH_2=h\gamma_w##, where ##H_2## is the pore flow distance between B and A and h is the additional head above the water table as a result of seepage flow. So, from the relationship at B, we have:
$$\frac{k}{\mu}v=\frac{h}{H_2}\gamma_w$$Therefore, substituting this into the additional contribution of seepage flow to the pore pressure at C, we obtain ##\frac{h}{H_2}z\gamma_w##. Therefore, the total pore pressure at C is $$(H+z)\gamma_w+\frac{h}{H_2}z\gamma_w=\left(H+z+\frac{h}{H_2}z\right)\gamma_w$$
I have another example here . In this case , it's downwards seepage ... Why for this case , the Pressure at B is (H1 + z -iz )yw ? Shouldn't the pressure increases with the depth ?
 

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The hydrostatic portion of the pressure variation does increase with depth. But, if the viscous seepage flow is downward, its contribution to the pressure variation must involve a pressure gradient component that can drive the fluid downward.
 
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Chestermiller said:
The hydrostatic portion of the pressure variation does increase with depth. But, if the viscous seepage flow is downward, its contribution to the pressure variation must involve a pressure gradient component that can drive the fluid downward.
so , do you mean as the water flow from top to the bottom , so the water is saying to be flow from higher pressure to low pressure ? So , in the case of downwards seepage , the pressure at A > C >B ?
 
fonseh said:
so , do you mean as the water flow from top to the bottom , so the water is saying to be flow from higher pressure to low pressure ? So , in the case of downwards seepage , the pressure at A > C >B ?
Only the viscous seepage portion of the pressure variation, which superimposes linearly upon the hydrostatic portion of the pressure variation, to give the overall total pressure variation.
 
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Chestermiller said:
Only the viscous seepage portion of the pressure variation, which superimposes linearly upon the hydrostatic portion of the pressure variation, to give the overall total pressure variation.
So , the pressure due to seepage variation is A > C >B ??
 
fonseh said:
So , the pressure due to seepage variation is A > C >B ??
Yes, if the flow is downward.
 
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Chestermiller said:
The quantity ##(H+z)\gamma_w## is the hydrostatic contribution to the pore pressure at C. The additional contribution of seepage flow to the pore pressure at C is ##\frac{k}{\mu}vz##, where z is the pore flow distance between C and A, k is the permeability, ##\mu## is the water viscosity, and v is the seepage velocity. For point B, the contribution of seepage flow to the pore pressure at B is ##\frac{k}{\mu}vH_2=h\gamma_w##, where ##H_2## is the pore flow distance between B and A and h is the additional head above the water table as a result of seepage flow. So, from the relationship at B, we have:
$$\frac{k}{\mu}v=\frac{h}{H_2}\gamma_w$$Therefore, substituting this into the additional contribution of seepage flow to the pore pressure at C, we obtain ##\frac{h}{H_2}z\gamma_w##. Therefore, the total pore pressure at C is $$(H+z)\gamma_w+\frac{h}{H_2}z\gamma_w=\left(H+z+\frac{h}{H_2}z\right)\gamma_w$$
Can you explain what causes The additional contribution of seepage flow to the pore pressure at C is ##\frac{k}{\mu}vz## ?? Is there any name for the term ?
 
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fonseh said:
Can you explain what causes The additional contribution of seepage flow to the pore pressure at C is ##\frac{k}{\mu}vz## ?? Is there any name for the term ?
The differential equation for the variation of pressure in a porous medium (in the vertical direction) is $$\frac{dp}{dz}+\gamma=-\frac{k}{\mu}v$$ where, in this equation, z is the elevation and v is the superficial upward seepage velocity. This is Darcy's Law.
 
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