Abstract
With the utilization of underground space, backward erosion piping (BEP) has been observed in many underground structures. Different from BEP in embankments or river dikes, the BEP in underground structures is usually triggered by a sudden flow of water and persists in a “progression phase,” in which the piping process can always reach an equilibrium before higher hydraulic loads are employed. In this study, the progression of BEP with sudden and gradual hydraulic loads was investigated using a radial Hele-Shaw cell. The test results indicated that the progression of BEP could be strongly influenced by the hydraulic loading speed. Once a faster hydraulic loading method was employed, the erodible medium could organize itself and show a greater resistance to erosion; additionally, the erosion pattern could be more uniform. These findings were included in a discussion of the erosion mechanism.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Availability of data and materials
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
References
Gang Z, Tao C, Xue-Song C, Ji-Bin S, Long-Bo G (2017) Introduction and analysis of an accident in a shield tunnel. Chin J Geotechn Eng J 39(Supp. 2):132–135
Hele-Shaw HS (1898) The flow of water. Nat J 58(1489):34–36
Helfrich S (1997) Investigation of sewer-line failure. J Perform Constr Fac J 11(1):42–44
Neyer JC (1984) Soft ground tunnel failures in Michigan. In: International conferences on case histories in geotechnical engineering, pp 1429–1434
Richards KS, Reddy KR (2012) Experimental investigation of initiation of backward erosion piping in soils. Géotechn J 62(10):933–942
Rosenbrand E, Van Beek VM, Bezuijen A, Akrami S, Terwindt J, Koelewijn A, Förster U (2020) Multi-scale experiments for a coarse sand barrier against backward erosion piping. Géotechn J
Sepideh A, Adam B, Van Beek VM, Esther R, Jarno T, Ulrich F (2020) Analysis of development and depth of backward erosion pipes in the presence of a coarse sand barrier. Acta Geotech J 16(2):1–17
Talesnick M, Baker R (1999) Investigation of the failure of a concrete-lined steel pipe. Geotechn Geol Eng J 17(2):99–121
Van Beek VM, Bezuijen A, Sellmeijer JB, Barends FBJ (2014) Initiation of backward erosion piping in uniform sands. Géotech J 64(12):927–941
Van Beek VM, Knoeff H, Sellmeijer H (2012) Observations on the process of backward erosion piping in small-, medium- and full-scale experiments. Eur J Environ Civil Eng J 15(8):1115–1137
Van Beek VM, Van Essen HM, Vandenboer K, Bezuijen A (2015) Developments in modelling of backward erosion piping. Géotech J 65(9):740–754
Vandenboer K, Dolphen L, Bezuijen A (2017) Backward erosion piping through vertically layered soils. Eur J Environ Civil Eng J 23(11):1404–1412
Vandenboer K, van Beek VM, Bezuijen A (2018) 3D character of backward erosion piping. Géotechn Note J 68(1):86–90
Vandenboer K, Celette F, Bezuijen A (2018) The effect of sudden critical and supercritical hydraulic loads on backward erosion piping: small-scale experiments. Acta Geotechn J 14:783–794
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41630641).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zheng, G., Tong, J., Zhang, T. et al. Progression of backward erosion piping with sudden and gradual hydraulic loads. Acta Geotech. 17, 2029–2035 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-021-01316-4
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-021-01316-4