Analysis of volumetric internal erosion in cohesionless soils: Model, experiments and simulations

Abstract A hydro‐mechanical continuous model that accounts for volumetric internal erosion (otherwise called suffusion) is developed based on experimental observations and data to fill the gap between laboratory testing field applications. The proposed mixture theory applied a two‐phase four‐species porous medium. erodible soil partitioned in two phases: one solid phase fluid phase. composed of non‐erodible grains particles. water fluidized modelling contributed directly by mass transfer from towards Two relationships are considered, power‐based relationship energy‐based relationship, calibration procedure all material parameters proposed. Both assume power dissipated flow controls kinetics suffusion detachment prevails upon self‐filtration. predict reasonably several tests gap‐graded cohesionless tested under various hydraulic loading paths. has been numerically solved with finite element method its predictions next compared results physical dike. along reproduces well final amount eroded mass. spatial distributions total head percentage fines also smoothly reproduced.