Embankment Breach Research: Observed Internal Erosion Processes

Highlights This study provides data from four intermediate-scale homogeneous embankment dam internal erosion tests. Soil properties influence the breach formation process and breach timing. Results showed observed erosion rates of the internal flow path varied by several orders of magnitude. Quality control of embankment construction can greatly influence breach development. Internal erosion and embankment overtopping are the two most common causes of embankment dam and levee failures and incidents. Internal erosion is the removal of soil material by the flow of water through a continuous defect, cavity, or crack within a compacted fill and/or its foundation. Internal erosion initiates from vulnerabilities within the embankment. The embankment soil material plays a key role in both the erosion process and rate of failure, but characterizing soil properties and how they