Wave-Induced Erosion of Soil Embankment in Laboratory Flume

Abstract

Irrigation reservoirs are widely used in parts of the Mississippi River alluvial floodplain to supplement limited groundwater resources. Constructed using local soils that are often low in clay content, the earthen embankments of these reservoirs are susceptible to wave erosion. In this study, laboratory experiments were performed to quantify wave-induced erosion and retreat of cohesive embankments. Erosion rates were measured for a model erodible embankment in a laboratory wave tank for a range of wave characteristics, and relationships were established between volume of embankment erosion, edge retreat rate, and incident wave height. An analytical model was developed to predict the embankment erosion and retreat rate. The model was calibrated using laboratory data and then compared with field measurements of erosion and retreat in an irrigation reservoir. The results show agreement between the field measurements and model predictions of bank retreat.