Accuracy of SEEP/W model in predicting seepage line and flow rate through lengthy coarse ‎porous medium

In this paper, subsurface water profiles through coarse porous medium are investigated ýnumerically and then are compared with experimental data. Numerical simulations have been ýconducted using SEEP/W model which is based on the finite element method. Laboratory model of ýthe porous medium has 6.4m length, 0.8m width and 1m height. Crushed materials were used as ýporous media. Modeling scenarios were conducted for different values of flow discharges and ýthree bed slopes of 0, 4 and 20.3 % and then flow profiles and discharges were computed and ýcompared with those provided form experimental. The results indicated that application of ýSEEP/W model for simulating flow properties through coarse materials and rockfill structures do ýnot always present satisfactory outputs, wherein in most cases specifically in low slopes ýunderestimated subsurface water profiles ( seepage line) compared to observed profiles. Also ýcomputed flow discharge give a different behavior depend on bed slope and kind of materials. The ýresults of numerical model showed a good agreement in steep slope comparing to low slopes. ý