Abstract: The effect of impervious curtain and intensive drainage holes in the dam foundation with fault is a key problem in hydro-electric engineering. By employing three-dimensional finite element, a seepage model is proposed with a gravity dam foundation in the upstream of Irrawaddy River as case study. The seepage control effect in the presence of failed impervious curtain or different spacings of drainage holes is analyzed. Results indicated that when the impervious curtain in the fault failed, the discharge increased but the reduction coefficient of uplift pressure met the design requirement; and when the spacing between drainage holes doubles, the seepage control effect did not change significantly. The research result could be a reference for similar designs of seepage control for dam foundation.

Key words: gravity dam foundation, impervious curtain, drainage holes, seepage control effect, finite element