Particle Transport in Soils: Review of Significant Processes in Infrastructure Systems

Abstract

Fine-particle transport in porous media affects performance of civil infrastructure in a number of diverse disciplines. The particle transport processes that are important in infrastructure systems are (1) wastewater filtration; (2) clogging of soil and geotextile filters used as liners for protection of subsurface and aboveground structures; (3) erosion and piping in earth dams; and (4) facilitated transport of contaminants in the subsurface. While particle release from soils is the primary focus in some areas, their transport and subsequent entrapment are important in others. In this paper, research developments on particle transport are reviewed in each of these areas and the cross-cutting nature of the fine-particle transport problem is demonstrated. The need for synthesis of research developments in the individual areas is assessed considering the emerging developments in geoenvironmental engineering. The challenges associated with integrating the research developments are pointed out.