Date of Award:

12-2012

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Committee Chair(s)

John D. Rice

Committee

John D. Rice

Committee

James A. Bay

Committee

Gilberto E. Urroz

Abstract

The objective of this research is to provide fundamental understanding of the piping phenomenon. This will lead to practical solutions to the critical hydraulic conditions for piping that account for soil properties, direction of flow, stress condition and exit face conditions. In current geotechnical engineering practice, these factors are generally not considered. The critical hydraulic gradient is assumed to be only a function of the soil buoyant unit weight. In recent analyses, laboratory experiments, and field observations indicate that piping can be initiated at gradients much lower than the values predicted by the current practice. The current practice may be conservative under certain conditions.

Results of this research and the research to follow have the potential to transform the way that seepage-related erosion is analyzed in practice. The results of this thesis research is to provide the data to develop a mechanism-based approach that models the actual mechanisms of piping erosion and considers various soil parameters and exit face conditions that affect the initiation and propagation of piping erosion. This approach will be more accurate than the existing analysis methods and will have the flexibility to be applied to a vast array of seepage conditions. The improved analysis approach is expected to vastly improve the accuracy of the assessments of piping potential, increasing public safety and allowing for better utilization of funds available to renovate the aging Dams and levee systems across the U.S.

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