The University of Sheffield research group on internal erosion undertakes experimental work to enable a better understanding of the fundamental behaviour of soil under seepage. The group is currently examining the process of suffusion within internally unstable soils.

A key focus of this research is to understand the role of stress, stress change and stress gradient on internal erosion of suffusive soils. In addition, we are using transparent soil techniques to visualise the suffusion process and to track the local seepage flow fields through media comprised of different particle shapes and gradings.

Research was made possible by funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, EPSRC project EP/P010423/1: PARTICLE-SCALE INVESTIGATION OF SEEPAGE INDUCED GEOTECHNICAL INSTABILITY undertaken in collaboration with Imperial College London. In addition, support for PhD students has been provided by the EPSRC in the form of two Doctoral Training Partnership awards.

We also gratefully acknowledge the support of the British Dam Society.