Experimental study of erosion characteristics of soils in homogeneous embankments

The erosion characteristics of soils in homogeneous embankments is the key problem of dam breach which is directly related to the breach formation and the rate of breaching. The Erosion characteristics of several soils in embankment have been researched. On the basis of the erosion test results, the effects of dry density, net shear stress, sediment detachment exponent on the rate of erosion were analyzed. According to the results the sediment detachment exponent should be calculated based on the erosion velocity and net shear stress. It is not convenient for analysis if the value of sediment detachment exponent was set 1 for cohesive soil or 1.5 for non-cohesive soil. It has an definite logarithmic relationship between erosion coefficient and sediment detachment exponent. The critical shear stress has an significant effect on the rate of erosion of soils. The erosion resistance of soils in embankment dams and the dam safety can be evaluated well by using the sediment detachment exponent.