Relief well
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
The International Levee Handbook, published by CIRIA in 2013, defines a relief well in water and flood management terms as: 'A vertically installed well consisting of a well screen surrounded by a filter material designed to prevent in-wash of foundation materials into the well. Relief wells are used extensively to relieve excess hydrostatic pressure in impervious foundation strata overlain by more impervious top strata, conditions that often exist landside of levees and downstream of dams and various hydraulic structures.'
Relief wells are also used in the fossil fuel industry as a control measure for natural gas and petroleum drilling.
[edit] History
The use of relief wells goes back to the early 1900s. They were initially used in the fossil fuel sector to manage well pressure. In the 1940s, relief wells were used to manage water pressure associated with dams. The technique was later adopted as a precautionary measure during construction to control water tables that could destabilise the ground..
[edit] Maintenance
The US Army Corps of Engineers has incorporated relief wells into the design and construction of several dam projects since the 1940s. Based on its experience, the organisation has observed that the life cycle of relief wells includes a slow but steady decline in pump efficiency after five years of operation. Regular maintenance and pump testing is required.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Combating burnout.
The 5 elements of seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke.
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.