- Reclamation
- R&D
- Research Projects
- Voids Behind Spillways, Conduits, Canals, Tunnels, and Siphons: Causes, Detection Techniques, and Repair Options
Voids Behind Spillways, Conduits, Canals, Tunnels, and Siphons: Causes, Detection Techniques, and Repair Options
Project ID: 21045
Principal Investigator: Evan Lindenbach
Research Topic: Condition Assessment
Funded Fiscal Years:
2021,
2022 and
2023
Keywords: None
Research Question
Void formation has been attributed to many causes, from soil settlement and frost heave, to movement of materials caused by scour processes or internal erosion. In many cases it is likely a combination of factors. Identifying the processes by which a void formed often occurs as a post-failure forensic analysis; a tool for predicting void locations based on an understanding of the underlying processes would be useful to better define the problem and identify mitigation techniques. This tool would allow for desk-top level prioritization of inspections based on likely locations.
This proposal seeks to fund a multidisciplinary project focused on: determining the causes of voids, void detection methods, and void repair methods. Experts in hydraulics, geotechnical engineering, geophysics, and concrete repair will work together with the goal to improve our understanding of how voids form, how we can best detect voids, and how we can optimize the repair of identified voids.
Need and Benefit
This research need is identified in the FY21 SSIP. This also meets needs in the Pipelines and Infrastructure research roadmaps.
Contributing Partners
Contact the Principal Investigator for information about partners.
Research Products
Please contact research@usbr.gov about research products related to this project.
