10.07.2015 Views

construction and refurbishment of earthen irrigation channel banks

construction and refurbishment of earthen irrigation channel banks

construction and refurbishment of earthen irrigation channel banks

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

10.2.4 TunnellingAn investigation found that the section which failed was constructed during wetweather. It is assumed that bank material was placed in a condition aboveoptimum moisture content. This wet material shrank on drying <strong>and</strong> thus provideda passage for the water. This section <strong>of</strong> bank was re-constructed.Tunnelling failure can begin with the formation <strong>of</strong> a pothole <strong>and</strong>/or wheel ruttingon top <strong>of</strong> the bank which will eventually catch water from rainfall <strong>and</strong> formgradually larger holes. A sinkhole is formed as rainwater in the pothole creates atunnel downward through the dispersive soil. Along with cracking <strong>of</strong> the bank,serious structural failure will eventually occur.Figure 10.16 Tunnelling FailureTunnelling occurs as a combination <strong>of</strong> dispersive soil, potholes on crest filling withrainwater <strong>and</strong> animal burrows in the bank. When the burrows <strong>and</strong> tunnels meetinside batter protection will be washed out <strong>and</strong> expose the inside batter to erosion.This can also happen towards the back <strong>of</strong> bank. The result will be a weakened bankwhich may slump <strong>and</strong> erode rapidly.Photos\deterioration\pothole4.jpgPhoto 10-21 Pothole on crest <strong>of</strong> bank caused by wheel ruts <strong>and</strong> rainfall on dispersivesoilPhotos\deterioration\pothole1.jpgPhoto 10-22 Detail <strong>of</strong> pothole on crestConstruction <strong>and</strong> Refurbishment <strong>of</strong> Earthen Channel Banks August 2002 - Edition 1.0 10-24

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!