Experimental Study on Submerged Sand Erosion through a Slot on a Defective Pipe
Publication: Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 143, Issue 9
Abstract
A physical model study was conducted to examine the development of submerged sand erosion through a slot on a defective sewer pipe. Various parameters that affect the erosion process were studied, including particle size, defect size, position on the pipe, and water depth. This experimental study used particle image velocimetry analysis to provide a deeper understanding of the mechanism of sand erosion due to defective sewer pipes. The sand velocities were determined, and the sand and water flow rates were measured. After the erosion process was initiated, the sand and water outflow rates quickly reached the steady state until the eroded zone reached the slot opening. During the steady erosion process, the region of sand motion was restricted to a narrow zone above the opening, with sand particles sliding into the newly formed cavity at the angle of repose. An increase in slot width significantly increased the sand and water flow rates. A decrease in sand particle size from medium to fine resulted in a decreased sand flow rate mainly due to decreased water flow. An increase in sand particle size from medium to coarse resulted in a decreased sand flow rate due to the arching resistance close to the slot for larger sand particles. In this study, the sand flow ceased when the ratio between the slot width and particle size was less than 3.1. The ratio between the sand and water flow rates was found to be a function of the ratio of slot width to particle size. The water level above the pipe and the slot position affected the sand and water flow rates. A simple analytical model was developed to estimate the sand and water flow rates in the erosion process.
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Acknowledgments
This research was supported by the Alberta Innovation Technology Futures (AITF) Graduate Student Scholarship and the China Scholarship Council (CSC). The authors also acknowledge the support of the Discovery Grant program of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).
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Published In
Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 143 • Issue 9 • September 2017
Copyright
©2017 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Oct 10, 2016
Accepted: Feb 8, 2017
Published online: May 10, 2017
Published in print: Sep 1, 2017
Discussion open until: Oct 10, 2017
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