where i is the hydraulic gradient over each square. The hydraulic gradient is the head loss per cell (curvilinear square), which isthe same forall cells by construction, divided by the length, [.. of the eel You should notice from Fig. 1.5 that L is not constant. Thercfore, the hydraulic gradient is not constant ‘The maximum hydraulic gradient occurs where L is a minimum ah es finax = (27) where Lmin is the minimum length of the cells within the flow domain. Usually. Lin Occurs at exit points Or around corners (e.g., point A in Fig. 1.5) and it is at these points we can get the maximum hydraulic gradient. Hydraulic Gradient ) _ (Gi=1) ge uo Ge 28) c Gat Ife (1-28) ‘The critical hydraulic gradient is the hydraulic gradient that brings a soil mass (essentially, coars ained soils) to static liquefaction—the soil-behaves.like_a_ viscous fluid, Because G, is constant, the cri hydraulic gradient is solely a function of the void ratio of the soil. In designing structures that are subjected to steady-state seepage, itis essential to ensure that the critical hydraulic gradient would not develop. Porewater Pressure Distribution The pore water pressure at any point, j, is calculated as follows: L. Select a datum. Let us choose the downstream water level as datum (Fig. 1.5). 2. Determine the total head at j, Hj = AH — (Na); Ah, where (Nq); is the number of equipotential drops at point j; (N,), can be fractional. For example, at B, My = AH ~ 16.5Ah 3, Subtract the elevation head at point j from the total head, H, to get the pressure head. For point B, (Fig. 1.5), the elevation head, h., is —z (point B is below the datum). The pressure head is then (1.29) For point B, (hp), = AH — 16.5Ah ~ (— ‘The porewater pressure is (1.30) The key points are: 1. Streamlines or flow lines represent flow paths of particles of water. 2. The area between two flow lines is called a flow channel. 3. The rate of flow in a flow channel is constant. 4. Flow cannot occur across flow lines. 5. The velocity of flow is normal to the equipotential line. 6. Flow lines and equipotential lines are orthogonal (perpendicular) to each other. 7. The difference in head between two equipotential lines is called the potential drop or head loss.