Numerical Analysis on Cave-Formation Process behind Seawall by Particle Method

Abstract

A suction of backfill sand behind a seawall causes damages of seawall, such as local subsidence of seawall or cave-in of backfill sand. Some field observations show that caves were formed due to suction through a corroded hole found in a sheet pile under the seawall. Therefore, in this study, a numerical simulation on such a cave-formation process is carried out by a particle method. The simulation consists of two stages: The one is a simulation of a suction process of sand under the seawall, and the other is an erosion process of backfill sand. The cave reproduced by the simulation showed good agreement with the observed one. 1.