Furthering Cracked Embankment Erosion Research

Project ID: 21071
Principal Investigator: Carolyne Bocovich
Research Topic: Condition Assessment
Funded Fiscal Years: 2021
Keywords: None

Research Question

This research intends to impact the condition assessment of embankment dams and levees, by furthering research of internal erosion, the second most common failure mechanism affecting Reclamation's inventory of embankment dams and canals.

Need and Benefit

About 1 in 4 dams in Reclamation's inventory has experienced an internal erosion incident with one failure. Previous Reclamation research was focused on understanding initiation of erosion and unfiltered exit. This research intends to further our understanding of "No self-healing" and "flows not limited" progression events of the internal erosion event. This proposal seeks to complete a comprehensive literature review and develop a more defined research proposal with direct impact of the risk assessment of internal erosion progression.

Contributing Partners

Contact the Principal Investigator for information about partners.

Research Products

Bureau of Reclamation Review

The following documents were reviewed by experts in fields relating to this project's study and findings. The results were determined to be achieved using valid means.

Furthering Cracked Embankment Erosion Research (final, PDF, 1.0MB)
By Carolyne Bocovich
Report completed on September 30, 2021

This research product summarizes the research results and potential application to Reclamation's mission.

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Last Updated: 6/22/20