Using an Improved Jet-Erosion Test to Study the Influence of Soil Parameters on the Erosion of a Silty Soil

• Published in: Journal of hydraulic engineering (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2017-08, Vol.143 (8)
• Main Authors: Nguyen, Van-Nghia, Courivaud, Jean-Robert, Pinettes, Patrick, Souli, Hanène, Fleureau, Jean-Marie
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Civil Engineering; Coefficients; Construction hydraulique; Devices; Drying; Engineering Sciences; Erosion; Silty soils; Soil compaction; Soil erosion; Soil permeability; Technical Papers
• ISSN: 0733-9429; 1943-7900
• DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)HY.1943-7900.0001305

AbstractA new jet-erosion test device has been developed to measure the erosion volume of soils under laboratory conditions. This device allows the determination of a complete erosion profile in addition to the depth of erosion below the jet. Jet-erosion tests using this new device were carried out on a silty soil to study the influence of the compaction dry density and water content on the erosion volume, critical shear stress (τc), linear erodibility coefficient (kD), and volumetric erodibility coefficient (kD*). The results of these tests showed the major roles played by the compaction dry density and suction, and the important effects of the soil fabric and permeability on the penetration of water into the soil sample. An inverse relationship was observed between the volumetric erodibility coefficient and critical shear stress, which allowed an estimate of kD* as a function of τc. The relationships between kD and τc, and between kD* and τc, are quasi-parallel lines with smaller values of kD*. Using the volumetric erodibility coefficient (kD*) rather than the usual linear erodibility coefficient (kD) may lead to better prediction of erosion in hydraulic works because this coefficient is more-directly related to the loss of soil that must be quantified in practice.