The Coursier Dam sinkholes: a case study of backward erosion as a consequence of filter incompatibility: (Abstract)

Physical measurements of the backward erosion piping process: (Paper and Abstract)

A novel laboratory device is presented, in which the process of backward erosion piping is observed in cylindrical sand samples oriented horizontally. The cylindrical shape of the testing device constrained the location of the erosion path to the top of the sample, thereby allowing pore pressure measurements to be made in both the eroded pipe...

Determination of Spatial Variability in d70 Grain Size Values Using High Density Site Measurements

Research to the failure mechanism piping (internal, backward erosion) in the Netherlands shows that the dikes require costly berms to meet the required safety standards. According to the Sellmeijer piping-formula, the d70 (70%-quantile of the grain size distribution by weight) is an important parameter in the resistance against piping. Therefore...

Piping in loose sands – the importance of geometrical fixity of grains

Piping is one of the possible failure mechanism for dams and levees with a sandy foundation. Water flowing through the foundation causes the onset of grain transport, due to which shallow pipes are formed at the interface of the sandy layer and an impermeable blanket layer. In the past, the mechanism has been investigated predominantly in...