Simulation of Piping in Earth Dams Due to Concentrated Leak Erosion

Piping is one of the most important causes of dam failure. Concentrated leak erosion, which occurs in cracks or a system of interconnecting voids, accounts for a large percentage of dam failures. A physically-based numerical model for simulating piping in earth dams due to concentrated leak erosion is developed in this research. The evolution of piping includes surface erosion and collapses of the soils on the pipe wall, which is controlled by hydraulic conditions and soil properties. The outflow hydrograph and piping characteristics (i.e. pipe geometry and formation time) can be predicted using this model, which helps assess the flood hazard downstream. The failure of Teton Dam in Idaho, USA is simulated using the model. The simulation results approximately reproduce the piping failure process of the dam. © 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers