SPATIALLY VARIED FLOW AT THE TOE OF A ROCK-FILL SLOPE

Synopsis Water flowing through a rock-fill slope emerges above the toe and passes over the downstream face with water from the lower sections of the rock mass adding to the discharge. This exit phenomenon is a case of spatially varied flow with increasing discharge and is of interest because flow conditions determine the stability of rock-fill slopes subjected to seepage. A theoretical and experimental investigation was undertaken and results indicated that a solution could be approached if reasonable assumptions were made with respect to the flow conditions in the adjacent body of the slope. This study also provides the basis for a discussion of the problems associated with an exact description of the flow conditions.