A Simplified Calculation Method of Seepage Flux for Slope-Wall Rock-Fill Dams with a Horizontal Blanket

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Dear authors,

The paper describes a simplified method to estimate the amount of seepage in rockfill dams with horizontal blanket. The method is interesting, and can be used as a preliminary estimate. I inserted majority of my comments directly into the manuscript. However, I have some thoughts and comments that I would like to emphasize. First of all, the manuscript needs language proofing, and I believe some technical terms are misused (especially disturbing is the use of a term check dam). In the manuscript you can find yellow highlights.

I am curios how did you estimate the phreatic lines and water levels in the dams you are presenting as examples, with measurements? Please mention this in the manuscript. Furthermore, is the amount of the percolating and seepage water measured on these dams? Its an interesting approach however without any comparison to the actual values in real life application, I have trouble believing this is a solid tool to be used in safety assessment of dams, as you mention in the introduction.

The paper and the method are interesting, however in my opinion it lacks some validation.

I am glad to read the appear again after the modifications.

Best regards.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

The manuscript applsci-806596, entitled “A simplified calculation method of seepage flux for slope-wall rock-fill dams with horizontal blanket” by Li et al. deals about an interesting subject regarding the modelling of seepage flow from slope-wall rock-fill dams with a horizontal blanket. This study aims to develop and applied two models to estimate seepage flow in two different conditions, dams with low groundwater level and dams with high groundwater level, validating them comparing the results of their application with experimental data from two different dams representative of the two conditions simulated by the models. Taking into consideration the topic investigated by this study and the relevance of investigation the manuscript is of potential interest for readers of Applied Sciences and fall within its scope.

Abstract: needs a small revision.

Keywords: revise it following my specific comments in the pdf file.

Description of the finite element model mesh should be deepened.

You should provide a reference for the dams data: measurements and seepage flow data used for model validation.

Result description should be more precise and punctual in describing the performance of the models.

A discussion of the results obtained and a comparison with other studies is missing.

Conclusions are too general and it should be present some consideration about the importance of a reliable simple model to obtain dam seepage flow data.

 

My specific comments, that I hope will help the authors to improve the manuscript, are reported in the attached files.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf