Study on Erosion Mechanisms Caused by Leakage at Culvert Joints and Outlets
Nindya Fitri Sari1*, Hary Christady Hardiyatmo1, Teuku Faisal Fathani1
1Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, INDONESIA
*Corresponding author: nindyafitrisari@mail.ugm.ac.id
INTISARI
Culverts play a vital role in facilitating water flow beneath roadways. However, leakage within culvert sections can undermine soil stability, potentially leading to pavement failure or sinkhole formation, posing serious risks to transportation infrastructure and public safety. Leakage commonly results from inadequate installation of culvert segments or structural deterioration of the outlet wall. Leakage at these locations weakens the soil structure, making it increasingly vulnerable to erosion over time. In this study, laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate the mechanisms of soil erosion in sandy soils induced by leakage at two critical points: the joint and the outlet. It specifically examines the effects of flow duration and outlet opening width on erosion progression. The results indicate that the erosion process follows three distinct phases: (1) initial erosion, characterized by water infiltration and soil weakening; (2) temporary stability, wherein the soil appears stable despite the gradual loss of particles; and (3) final erosion, resulting in significant structural degradation and potential sinkhole formation. Furthermore, the width of the joint opening follows a similar pattern, where a larger gap results in increased erosion. Conversely, when leakage occurs in the outlet wall, the quantity of material eroded in the joint region typically reduces.
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