Inverse analysis of laboratory data and observations for evaluation of backward erosion piping process

An inverse analysis procedure has been developed to interpret collected pore pressure data and observations during backward erosion piping(BEP)initiation and progression in sandy soils.The procedure has been applied to laboratory models designed to mimic the initiation and progression of BEP through a constricted vertical outlet.The inverse analysis uses three-dimensional(3D)finite element method(FEM)to successively produce models of the hydraulic head regime surrounding progressive stages of BEP based on observations at the sample surface and pore pressure measurements obtained from the laboratory models.The inverse analysis results in a series of 3D contour plots that represent the hydraulic-head regime at each stage of the BEP development,allowing for assessing the development of BEP mechanism as well as calculating the critical hydraulic conditions required for various BEP stages to initiate and progress.Interpretation of the results identified four significant stages of the piping process:(1)loosened zone initiation,(2)channel initiation and progression,(3)riser sand fluidization,and(4)loosened zone progression.Interpretation of the hydraulic head contour plots allows assessment of the critical hydraulic gradients needed to initiate and progress various components of the BEP development.

Visualizing the dynamic progression of backward erosion piping in a Hele-Shaw cell

With the utilization of underground space,backward erosion piping(BEP)has been observed in many underground structures(e.g.,shield tunnels)founded on sandy aquifers.However,due to invisibility,the geometry of the eroded pipe and its spatial evolution with time during the piping process was still not clear.In this study,we developed a Hele-Shaw cell to visualize the dynamic progression of BEP.With imaging process technology,we obtained a typical process of BEP(the erosion process can be divided into a piping progression phase and a piping stabilization phase),quantitatively characterized the formation of erosion pipes,and compared the patterns of erosion(e.g.,the erosion area A and the maximum erosion radius R)that spontaneously develop under different fluxes of water.The most interesting finding is that the sand grains in a thicker Hele-Shaw model are easier to dislodge,which is possibly due to the granular system in a thicker model having more degrees of freedom,reducing the stability of the sand grains.

3D finite element method （FEM） simulation of groundwater flow during backward erosion piping

Backward erosion piping is an important failure mechanism for cohesive water retaining structures which are founded on a sandy aquifer. At present, the prediction models for safety assessment are often based on 2D assumptions. In this work, a 3D numerical approach of the groundwater flow leading to the erosion mechanism of backward erosion piping is presented and discussed. Comparison of the 2D and 3D numerical results explicitly demonstrates the inherent 3D nature of the piping phenomenon. In addition, the influence of the seepage length is investigated and discussed for both piping initiation and piping progression. The results clearly indicate the superiority of the presented 3D numerical model compared to the established 2D approach. Moreover, the 3D numerical results enable a better understanding of the complex physical mechanism involved in backward erosion piping and thus can lead to a significant improvement in the safety assessment of water retaining structures.