A theoretical envelope for internal instability of cohesionless soil

Li, Maoxin; Fannin, R. J.

doi:10.1680/geot.10.t.019

Cited by 55 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Subsequent research has yielded some notable contributions, such as N the underlying philosophical observations of Kezdi (1979) and Ková cs (1981) N the association of internal instability with sinkholes in dams (Sherard, 1979) N empirical rules for assessing the potential for internal instability (Kenney & Lau, 1985, 1986Burenkova, 1993;Wan & Fell, 2008) N experimentally driven advances towards a mechanicsbased framework (Skempton & Brogan, 1994;Li & Fannin, 2012). There appears to be consensus in the literature that internal instability is a phenomenon whereby fine particles are transported from a non-plastic soil by seepage flow (Table 1).…”

Section: On the Phenomena Of Seepage-induced Internal Instabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

On the distinct phenomena of suffusion and suffosion

Fannin

Slangen

2014

Géotechnique Letters

106

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Seepage-induced internal instability is a phenomenon whereby fine particles are transported from a non-plastic soil. A distinction can readily be made between a washed-out soil structure that remains intact and one in which some form of destruction or collapse of the structure accompanies the migration of fine particles. The three variables of a measured value of mass loss, a measured value of volume change and a value of change in hydraulic conductivity, deduced from measurements of hydraulic gradient and flow rate, are sufficient to quantify, and hence distinguish between, seepageinduced internal instability phenomena. The term 'suffusion' is advocated to describe the nondestructive response, which may be quantified by a mass loss, no change in volume and an increase in hydraulic conductivity. The term 'suffosion' is recommended to describe the instability phenomenon whereby the transport of fine particles by seepage flow is accompanied by a collapse of the soil structure. Accordingly, this distinct internal instability phenomenon may be quantified by a mass loss, a volumetric contraction and a change in hydraulic conductivity.

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Section: On the Phenomena Of Seepage-induced Internal Instabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

On the distinct phenomena of suffusion and suffosion

Fannin

Slangen

2014

Géotechnique Letters

106

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“…Li and Fannin (2012) subsequently proposed that the stress-reduction factor α is practically constant over a range of stress levels, allowing them to derive a generalized form of Equation 2 that can account for any imposed effective stress. The critical hydraulic gradient at the base of a soil element for upward flow becomes:…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fabric and Effective Stress Distribution in Internally Unstable Soils

Shire

O’Sullivan

Hanley

et al. 2014

J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng.

183

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Internal instability is a form of internal erosion in broadly-graded cohesionless soils in which fine particles can be eroded at lower hydraulic gradients than predicted by classical theory for piping or heave. A key mechanism enabling internal instability is the formation of a stress-transmitting matrix dominated by the coarse particles that leaves the finer particles under lower effective stress. In this study discrete element modeling is used to analyze the fabric and effective stress distribution within idealized gap-graded samples with varying potential for internal stability. The reduction in stress within the finer fraction of the materials is directly quantified from grain-scale data. The particle size distribution, percentage finer fraction and relative density are found to influence the stress distribution. In particular, effective stress transfer within a critical finer fraction between 24% and 35% is shown to be highly sensitive to relative density.

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“…Internal erosion of gap-graded soils can cause instability of the soil structure and pose great safety threats to dams or flood embankments [29] and coarse-fine particle ratio can be an important index affecting the erodability of gap-graded soils [30]. Based on DEM simulations of a bimodal assembly as a simple gap-graded soil, Shire et al [31] examined the particle-scale fabric information related to the interplay between fine and coarse particles in the assembly under isotropic compression.…”

Section: Signatures Of Fabric and Fabric Evolutionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Micro origins for macro behavior in granular media

et al. 2016

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We report the latest advances in understanding, characterization and modeling of key micro mechanisms and origins underpinning the interesting and complex macroscopic behavior of granular matter. Included in this Topical Collection are novel theories, innovative experimental tools and new numerical approaches, focusing primarily on three subtopics governing important multiscale properties of granular media: (a) the jamming transition from fluid-to solid-like behavior, critical state flow and wave propagation, (b) the signature of fabric and its evolution for granular media under general loading conditions, and (c) mechanisms like rotation, breakage, failure and aggregation. The significance of these contributions and exploratory future directions pertaining to cross-scale understanding of granular matter are discussed.

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A theoretical envelope for internal instability of cohesionless soil

Cited by 55 publications

References 6 publications

On the distinct phenomena of suffusion and suffosion

On the distinct phenomena of suffusion and suffosion

Fabric and Effective Stress Distribution in Internally Unstable Soils

Micro origins for macro behavior in granular media

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