Sand boil observations and geotechnical characterization of river embankments for the development of a backward erosion piping database
Sand boil observations and geotechnical characterization of river embankments for the development of a backward erosion piping database
Sand boil formation at the toe of river embankments is the typical manifestation of initiation and progression of an internal erosion process known as backward erosion piping, which is recognized to be a major concern in many river systems worldwide. In Italy, more than 130 sand boils have been detected along the Po River, many of them experiencing recurrent reactivations during high-water events. As a consequence of such widespread occurrence and the risk for the safety of the surrounding territory and human activities, the development of a sand boil database has been increasingly seen as an essential tool for identifying triggering conditions and giving priorities for the implementation of mitigation measures. In recent years, as part of the activities of the European Project LIFE SandBoil, a GIS-based web application was developed in order to catalogue the sand boils observed along the Po River. The database allows keeping records of a comprehensive set of information, e.g. geometry of the river embankments, subsoil stratigraphy, data on the sand boils, and characteristics of high-water events. Taking a piping-prone cross-section along the Po River as reference, the paper aims at describing the main features of this versatile and flexible tool, which is meant to help in understanding the conditions causing initiation and the sand boil dynamics, as well as to support flood risk management against backward erosion piping.
Laura Tonni; Michela Marchi; Ilaria Bertolini; Agnese Bassi; A. Rosso; Laura Tonni; Michela Marchi; Ilaria Bertolini; Agnese Bassi; A. Rosso
18th European Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ECSMGE2024)
B - Geohazards
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