Investigating reduction of uplift forces by longitudinal drains with underlined canals

A provision of drainage systems with underlined canals is investigated aiming to reduce uplift forces and to increase canal stability when groundwater surface is high, without which failure is likely from subsequent heaving and cracking of canal lining. The investigation generates sufficient data for typical 2D canal cross-sections by numerically solving a wide range of configurations using a provision of drain pipes. The generated data comprise the correlation between uplift forces and the various configuration parameters in terms of effects of position of the drain pipes, their size and hydraulic factors, such as the effect of phreatic surface. These data-sets were used to develop both regression model and an Artificial Neural Network model. Results showed that application of drain pipes under the canal bed at appropriate positions is effective in reducing groundwater depth and thereby reducing uplift pressures.