A 3D time-dependent backward erosion piping model

Backward erosion piping (BEP) is a failure mechanism of hydraulic structures like dams and levees on cohesionless foundations subjected to seepage flows. This article models the time-dependent development of BEP using numerical simulation of the erosion process. A 3-dimensional finite element equilibrium BEP model is extended with a...

Numerical interpretation of regressive localized internal erosion in a real-scale levee physical model

This paper presents the numerical interpretation of a recent experiment on a real-scale levee physical model, in order to investigate the process of Backward Erosion Piping (BEP) and validate a recently proposed finite element formulation able to model both the simultaneous processes observed in backward erosion piping, i.e. the propagation of...

A transient backward erosion piping model based on laminar flow transport equations

Backward erosion piping is an internal erosion process, which compromises the stability of water retaining structures such as dams and levees. In this paper, we propose a numerical solution that combines a 2D Darcy groundwater solution with Exner's 1D sediment transport mass conservation equation. As an estimate of sediment transport, we...