Laboratory Tests on the Rate of Piping Erosion of Soils in Embarkment Dams
Wan, CF
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia

Fell, R
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia

(Received 25 February 2003; accepted 26 August 2003)

Abstract
The Slot Erosion Test and the Hole Erosion Test have been developed as fast and simple tests for studying the erosion characteristics of soil in cracks in embankment dams. The erosion characteristics are described by the Erosion Rate Index, which measures the increase of erosion rate with respect to an increase in the hydraulic shear stress; and the Initial Shear Stress, which represents the minimum hydraulic shear stress when erosion starts. Knowledge of these erosion characteristics aids in the prediction of the likelihood of embankment dam failure due to piping erosion in a risk assessment process.

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Author Wan, CF Affiliation School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia Author Fell, R Affiliation School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia Author Wan CF, Fell R Title Laboratory Tests on the Rate of Piping Erosion of Soils in Embarkment Dams Symposium , Committee on