Collaborative Research: Critical Hydraulic Conditions for Piping in Sandy Soils, Laboratory Measurement and Numerical Simulation

合作研究：沙土管道的临界水力条件、实验室测量和数值模拟

• 批准号: 1131518
• 负责人: John Rice
• 金额: $ 12.7万
• 依托单位: Utah State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2011
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2011-09-01 至 2014-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1131518&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Collaborative; Research; Critical; Hydraulic; Conditions

The objective of this project is to provide fundamental understanding of the piping phenomenon and practical solutions to the critical hydraulic conditions for piping that account for: 1) soil properties (e.g., gradation, grain size, and grain shape), 2) direction of flow, 3) stress condition, and 4) exit face conditions. In current geotechnical engineering practice, these factors are generally not considered and the critical hydraulic gradient is assumed to be only a function of the soil buoyant unit weight. However, recent analyses, laboratory experiments, and field observations indicate that piping can be initiated at gradients much lower than the values predicted by the current practice. Therefore, the current practice may be unconservative under certain conditions. The project objectives will be achieved through: 1) experimental measurements of critical hydraulic gradients of soil specimens with varied soil properties, direction of flow, and exit face conditions, using laboratory devices designed specifically for this project, 2) development of a numerical model capable of capturing piping mechanisms in saturated granular soils by coupling the discrete element method and the smoothed particle hydrodynamics method, and 3) integration of the results from experimental testing and validated numerical modeling into current engineering practice by providing an empirical, but mechanism-based, relationship to account for the effects that the factors discussed above have on the magnitude of critical hydraulic gradients. This project will be accomplished through collaborative research between Utah State University and The Pennsylvania State University.Results of this project have the potential to transform the way that seepage-related erosion is analyzed in practice. The new approach will not only be more accurate than existing analysis methods, but will also have the flexibility to be applied to a vast array of seepage conditions due to its mechanism-based origin. The societal benefits of this improved analysis approach should not be underestimated. Dams and levee systems across the U.S. are aging and, in many cases, in need of retrofitting or repair to bring them up to current standards or meet changing load requirements. The improved analysis approach is expected to vastly improve the accuracy of the assessments of piping potential, increasing public safety and allowing for better utilization of funds available to renovate this critical aspect of our nation?s infrastructure. The project will also provide substantial educational benefits, including training M.S. and Ph.D. students and providing research opportunities for undergraduate students, particularly those from traditionally under-represented groups at both Utah State University and The Pennsylvania State University.

本项目的目的是提供管涌现象的基本理解和管涌临界水力条件的实际解决方案，这些条件包括：1）土壤性质（例如，级配、粒度和颗粒形状），2）流动方向，3）应力条件，和4）出口面条件。 在目前的岩土工程实践中，这些因素通常不被考虑，并且假定临界水力梯度仅是土壤浮力单位重量的函数。 然而，最近的分析，实验室实验和现场观察表明，管涌可以在比当前实践预测的值低得多的梯度下开始。 因此，目前的做法在某些情况下可能是不保守的。 项目目标将通过以下方式实现：1）使用专门为此项目设计的实验室设备，对具有不同土壤性质、水流方向和出口面条件的土壤试样的临界水力梯度进行实验测量，2）通过耦合离散单元法和光滑粒子流体动力学方法，开发能够捕获饱和粒状土壤中的管涌机制的数值模型，以及3）通过提供经验的、但基于机理的关系来说明上述因素对临界水力梯度的大小的影响，将来自实验测试和经验证的数值模拟的结果整合到当前的工程实践中。 该项目将通过犹他州州立大学和宾夕法尼亚州州立大学之间的合作研究来完成。 新方法不仅比现有的分析方法更准确，而且由于其基于机理的起源，还具有适用于大量渗流条件的灵活性。 不应低估这种改进的分析方法的社会效益。 美国各地的水坝和堤坝系统正在老化，在许多情况下需要改造或维修，以使其达到当前标准或满足不断变化的负载要求。 改进的分析方法预计将大大提高管道潜力评估的准确性，提高公共安全，并允许更好地利用可用资金来改造我们国家的这一关键方面？的基础设施。 该项目还将提供大量的教育福利，包括培训硕士。和博士学生和本科生提供研究机会，特别是那些从传统上代表性不足的群体在犹他州州立大学和宾夕法尼亚州州立大学。