Abstract
Abstract. In several countries, the rising occurrence of sinkholes has led to severe social and economic damage. Based on the mechanism of sinkhole development, researchers have investigated the correlation between rainfall intensity and sinkholes caused by damaged sewer pipes. In this study, the effect of rainfall intensity on the formation of eroded zones, as well as the occurrence of sinkholes caused by soil erosion due to groundwater infiltration through pipe defects, has been analyzed through model tests. The ground materials in Seoul were represented by weathered granite soil, which is generally used for backfill sewer pipes, and groundwater levels corresponding to three different rainfall intensity conditions were considered. The ground level changes and ground displacements were measured continuously, and the particle image velocimetry (PIV) algorithm was applied to measure the displacement at each position of the model ground. The results indicate that impeding the excessive rise in groundwater levels by securing sufficient sewage treatment facilities can effectively prevent the development of sinkholes caused by pipe defects.
Highlights
In recent times, cases of sinkholes have been reported in several countries, such as the USA, Japan, Italy, South Africa, China, Spain, and South Korea
The urban area in Seoul has been simulated, and model tests have been conducted to analyze the effect of rainfall intensity on the formation of eroded zones, as well as the occurrence of sinkholes caused by soil erosion due to groundwater infiltration through pipe defects
In the water supply stage of Test 1, no soil deformation occurred on the ground surface and in the ground as the groundwater level approached 47 cm
Summary
Cases of sinkholes have been reported in several countries, such as the USA, Japan, Italy, South Africa, China, Spain, and South Korea. Gao et al (2013) confirmed that the groundwater level rise due to extremely heavy rainfall has a significant effect on sinkhole generation in a karst environment in China. A total of 17 000 data were reported from 2006 to 2009 (Yokota et al, 2012) Considering these factors, several researchers have conducted statistical analysis and model experiments to investigate the correlation between rainfall intensity and sinkholes caused by damaged sewer pipes. The urban area in Seoul has been simulated, and model tests have been conducted to analyze the effect of rainfall intensity on the formation of eroded zones, as well as the occurrence of sinkholes caused by soil erosion due to groundwater infiltration through pipe defects.
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