Physical modeling of overtopping erosion and breach formation of cohesive embankments

There are numerous earthen dams across the landscape, which are used for water supplies, flood control, recreation, etc. There is research being conducted by the USDA-ARS to develop computer models to predict what would happen if flood waters were to go over the top of these structures. Seven large-scale outdoor laboratory tests were conducted to measure the limits of these structures and erosion rates when water goes over the top. Erosion rates were strongly related to soil properties such as compaction water content, soil strength, and erodibility. The soil properties were related to erosion equation parameters that include the rate of erosion and water flow properties in this environment. The measured soil properties of erodibility and strength were observed to be promising for the development of physical models to predict embankment erosion and breach due to overtopping.