AN EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS ON PHYSICAL MODEL BASED ON KHOSLA’S THEORY OF INDEPENDENT VARIABLES

Abstract

In this experimental work, a physical model of weir with three cut offs/sheet piles is constructed by
transparent acrylic sheets. At the cut offs, transparent vertical hollow tubes are arranged in such a way that the upward
movement of waters in the tubes can be observed and measured. The model is filled up with sand i.e. non cohesive soil.
Model also contains tank like arrangement in which water can be filled. The water seeps beneath the floor of the weir. As
the water completes its path, the soil material gets saturated gradually and the upward movement of water in the tubes
can be observed and measured. The levels of water in the tubes represents uplift pressure of seeping water on the floor at
various key points. The model is thus validated as per khosla’t theory of independent variable.
To see the effect of pile inclination on uplift pressure, the sheet piles are inclined at various angles with respect to the
floor of the weir. According to graphical analysis the uplift pressures increases or decreases when piles are inclined at
different positions as compared to that while all the piles are in vertical positions.