12.07.2015 Views

Technical Manual: Conduits through Embankment Dams (FEMA 484)

Technical Manual: Conduits through Embankment Dams (FEMA 484)

Technical Manual: Conduits through Embankment Dams (FEMA 484)

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS
  • No tags were found...

Create successful ePaper yourself

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

IntroductionThe process of dislodging soil particles continues at an escalating rate becauseof the hydraulic gradient increase. As the backward erosion piping gets closerto the reservoir, seepage quantity also increases.A tunnel develops due to the continued erosion of the soils in the foundation.This assumes the overlying embankment dam, foundation layer, or conduit isable to support the tunnel that is forming. The soil exposed to flow in thedeveloping tunnel is erodible, and the walls of the tunnel can grow larger atthe same time that the discharge face moves upstream.Figure 10 (cont’d).—The backward erosion piping process associated with intergranularseepage and the subsequent backward erosion of soil particles.15

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

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!