Fissure Erosion Modeling

• Earth fissures form due to the abstraction of groundwater, which causes consolidation, compaction, differential settlement and, finally, cracking of the earth.
• E&H developed a specialized model to determine whether fissure erosion in a foundation under an embankment might occur during a flood and to quantify erosion. No previous research exists about the erosion of earth fissures under water pressure head and minimal information about the subsurface conditions of earth fissures is known.
• The model was applied to embankment dams in Maricopa County, Arizona.
• Geotechnical and geophysical testing provided material strength relationships. A multi-layer foundation was represented in the model.
• Erosive power of water through the fissures was estimated by the model and compared to the material strength to estimate erosion.
• Resulting fissure discharges and eroded fissure section were used to determine whether embankment retrofit designs are safe from fissure erosion.
• Click here for more information on E&H's fissure erosion modeling.

Engineering - Science - Sustainable Solutions