Author(s): Yonghui Zhu; Paul Visser; Han Vrijling
Linked Author(s): Yonghui Zhu, Paul Visser
Keywords: Breach; Clay-dikes; Model; Erosion; Headcut; Dikes; Soil; Experiment
Abstract: A model has been developed for the process of breach growth in clay-dikes (i. e. dikes built of cohesive soil) and for the flow rate through the breach. The model is based on the mechanism of breach development as observed in various tests in the laboratory and the field. To further improve the understanding of the physics of the breach erosion process in claydikes and to provide data for the model validation, laboratory experiments were conducted at the Netherlands and the UK. The model has been calibrated with the data of four laboratory tests and tested to the data of other two laboratory tests, yielding fairly good agreement. Based on the model calibration results, a relationship has been established between the soil erodibility coefficient (Me) in the erosion rate formula and the dike soil properties. Sensitivity analysis of the model shows that the dependence of the model on Me is very significant. Finally, the confrontation of the model with the data of the failure of a prototype dike gives results in agreement with observation and investigation-based estimation.
Year: 2007