Estudo da influência da sucção na estabilidade do talude de montante da barragem do Cauhipe realizada por meio de análises de equilíbrio limite e elementos finitos

Abstract

In the scenario of the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil, there is a condition of great vulnerability hydraulic reserve structures, mainly due to the continuous cycle filling and emptying of the reservoir and consequent loading changes in the structure. A study of the stability of the bus over its useful life, covering the natural uncertainties of any stresses experienced by the structure, it is essential to ensuring your operational safety. This work presents a study of the influence of suction in the stability of the upstream slope of a small earth dam, subject to continuous filling and emptying cycles during its operating regime. This situation promotes changes in slope stability due to constant changes in its parameters resistance over time, which can lead to eventual critical conditions, due to reductions in the internal resistance of the massif. The numerical models used the parameters obtained in mechanical and hydraulic characterization tests in the saturated state and not saturated with clayey sand, which materializes the impermeable area of ​​the Cauhipe Dam, located in Caucaia-CE. The study of the behavior of the massif took place through analysis of flow and stability in the scenarios of total emptying of the reservoir and partial filling, experienced over the continuous fluctuation of the reservoir level over a decade. THE research confirmed the stress-strain-resistance behavior of the compacted soil, in its unsaturated condition, as described in the literature and reveals that, even with the constant fluctuations in the reservoir level the safety factors obtained are well above the minimum values ​​proposed by the literature.