Influence of sand characteristics on the piping process

One of the failure mechanisms of a dike is piping. A water level difference between the two sides of a dike causes a groundwater flow in the sand layer under the (clay)dike. This flow can transport sand from under the dike to the exit point of the groundwater flow. The formula of Sellmeijer is derived mathematically from the equation of...

Investigation into quantitative visualisation of suffusion

Suffusion is the process whereby seepage water removes fine grains from a soil, which can result in failure of the soil body. This poses a risk for structures founded on soils that are subjected to large hydraulic gradients, such as encountered near hydraulic dams or river levees. Currently, most experimental work on this topic is geared towards...