EVALUATION OF PIPING PROGRESSION IN RIVER LEVEES BASED ON SUFACE GEOMETRIC INFORMATION

Abstract

This paper describes results of centrifuge tests aiming at modeling subsidence of levee slope surface where backward erosion piping undergoes during flooding events. The shape and size of the subsided trough is successfully correlated with location and size of piping in the levee or foundation soil. This model is applied to predict the location of piping in a levee where sand volcanos appeared during recent flooding events. DEM of the levee was obtained and troughs on the slope were detected near the sand volcanos. The predicted pipes were confirmed by penetration tests which directly detected loosend soil locations.