Analytical Mini-Review of Different Sheet Pile Configuration Utilization for Dam Seepage Reduction and Applications on Iraqi Dams

Abstract Seepage is one of the main causes of dams and some other hydraulic structures' failure. Water movement beneath the dam’s base creates piping and uplift pressure under the structure, potentially leading to improper dam operation. This current study focuses on the utilization of a special technique to restrict the transfer of movement water via soil which includes sheet piles under the dam foundation. Sheet pile walls are interlocking pile segments that are embedded in soil to resist horizontal pressure, classified as a flexible retaining system, and capable of tolerating relatively large deformations. Sheet piles are made of various materials, such as wood, concrete, steel, and aluminum, which are suitable for different applications. The role of seepage can be affected by the cutoff utilization. In this study, some Iraqi dam issues due to seepage are explained, also the geological stratum beneath the dam is briefly discussed. the potential use of sheet piles with different configurations has been reviewed to detect the optimum situation for seepage parameters reduction based on their numbers, interval distances, inclinations, and places. Keywords: Seepage, sheet piles, impermeable foundation, Iraqi dams’ issues, and geological stratum.