Seepage from Lined Canal Using Finite-Element Method

The problem of steady-state seepage from a lined canal toward asymmetrical drainages has been solved using the finite-element method, analyzing the effect of canal lining on canal seepage discharge. Studies show that the effectiveness of canal lining in reducing seepage is less when drainage distance is large. With a decrease in the permeability of the canal lining, the canal seepage also decreases; however, the decrease in canal seepage is relatively more when the ratio of lining permeability and subsoil permeability ranges in the region from 2. The decrease in canal seepage is very steep with initial increase in the lining thickness. However, with further increase in the lining thickness, the decrease in canal seepage is not very significant. Therefore, an effective lining permeability must range between 1 and 1 of the subsoil permeability and its thickness must be kept less than 0.2, where h1 is the difference between right drainage water level and canal water level.