Laboratory Dissolution Experiments of Internal Erosion in Sandy Soil: Underground Cavities and Piping

Abstract

Loss of soil particles due to mineral dissolution, degradation or internal erosion can lead to a change in the microstructure of soil, which as a result, affects the strength and stiffness of soil. This paper presented an approach to investigate the behavior of granular soil subjected to local particle removal by introducing a certain amount of erodible particles. Through sufficiently long period of water flushing, internal erosion was simulated by dissolution of glu- cose shaped in block/pipe, in representing underground cavities and piping. A series of model tests were conducted, and the formation of cavity/piping was recorded by digital images from the front of the soil chamber. Extent of loos- ening during the propagation of erosion and changes in local strength at post-erosion state were obtained by conducting penetration tests.