Detection of Internal Erosion and Piping in Embankment Dams

A physical modeling was established to analyze the mechanism of initiation, continuation, and progression to form a breach for internal erosion and piping. The method accounts for the nature of the soils including sandy gravels, fine-grained sands and silty clay in the dam core and the foundation. Guidance was also provided on the detectability of internal erosion and piping by reviewing the case studies. It is shown that continuous instrumental monitoring system of seepage or surveillance would be needed to detect the internal erosion and piping.