Numerical Tool for Prediction of Sand Boil Reactivations near River Embankments
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 146, Issue 12
Abstract
The article presents a three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) model of the groundwater flow beneath a river embankment, aimed at developing a simple and reliable numerical strategy for the identification of hydraulic conditions that cause the reactivation of sand boils in flood defense systems prone to recurrent backward erosion piping. The seepage model is calibrated on a cross section of the Po River, where a large natural sand boil has been periodically observed during past high-water events. Monitored river water levels, piezometric measurements, and geotechnical testing data have been used for the calibration study. The numerical analysis proposes a suitable way to simulate a preexisting eroded zone, identifies the key parameters to be collected in the field, and discusses the criteria for the assessment of piping reactivation. The sensitivity analysis proposed herein enables one to identify the set of model parameters capable of capturing field evidence.
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Data Availability Statement
Some of the geotechnical, piezometric, and hydrometric data used during the study were provided by AIPo. Direct requests for these materials can be addressed to the provider.
Acknowledgments
Data sharing and continuous support by the Interregional Agency for the Po River (AIPo) are gratefully acknowledged. The authors also wish to thank Dr. Bryant A. Robbins for his helpful comments and suggestions.
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Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 146 • Issue 12 • December 2020
Copyright
© 2020 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Nov 12, 2019
Accepted: Jun 18, 2020
Published online: Sep 18, 2020
Published in print: Dec 1, 2020
Discussion open until: Feb 18, 2021
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