Impulse response function analysis model application to the thermical seepage monitoring in the earth dams

Internal erosion, linked with the leakage presence, is a well known menace for the dams and the dikes safety. Nowadays one of the most effective and promising method which is used to identify this process is the thermic analysis of the hydraulic body. In the paper we present a method called Impulse Response Function Thermic Analysis (IRFTA) and its application to earths dams monitoring. IRFTA model allows precisely describe the coupled heat and water transport in dams body and in consequence recognizing even minimal seepage appearance and changing. Application of IRFTA model to analyze the temperature measurements realized for an earth dam is presented in the article. Mots clefs : barrage en terre, fuite, surveillance thermique, reponse impulsionelle