Journal Published Online: 08 December 2017
Volume 41, Issue 1

A Photographic Method for Measuring Soil Deformations during Internal Erosion under Triaxial Stress Conditions

CODEN: GTJODJ

Abstract

Internal erosion involves the migration of soil particles under seepage flow and is a primary cause of dam failure and distress. With the loss of soil particles, the remaining soil grains will rearrange, resulting in soil deformations and significant settlement. In this research, a photographic method was developed to measure the soil deformations caused by internal erosion on a modified triaxial apparatus. Photos were taken by a high-resolution camera at a certain time interval. By comparing image data between any two snapshots, the process of soil deformation can be obtained. In the experiments, the soil specimen experienced marked deformations during internal erosion. Heterogeneous soil deformations also developed across the specimen because of the nonuniformity of the soil pores and the nonuniform migration of fine particles. Both the global and local soil deformations during the whole internal erosion process were obtained using the photographic method. The maximum lateral deformation occurred at the middle part of the soil specimen, whereas the soil deformations along the vertical direction were relatively uniform.

Author Information

Chen, C.
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong
Zhang, L. M.
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong
Zhu, Hong
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong
Pages: 12
Price: $25.00
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Details
Stock #: GTJ20170031
ISSN: 0149-6115
DOI: 10.1520/GTJ20170031