The ability to non-invasively detect and monitor internal erosion and piping in earthen embankments is of great value to government agencies and municipalities responsible for maintaining large numbers of civil structures. Internal erosion can be a difficult failure mode of dams and levees to assess using traditional techniques. Surface nuclear magnetic resonance is a promising technology for monitoring these structures due to its direct sensitivity to liquid water. This is a new application for the method, and requires the formulation of a robust modelling framework capable of incorporating three dimensional water content models and topography. Adaptive octree meshes represent an efficient means to perform these calculations, as they are able to adapt and refine in areas where the kernel function is changing rapidly. Given the non-trivial challenges associated with the development of realistic water content models, we focus on first-order effects and present six 2.5D flow models representing seepage through a loaded earthen embankment under varying levels of erosional piping. Simulation results show that the employment of multiple surface nuclear magnetic resonance transmitter and receiver loops can provide early detection and effective monitoring of piping under the assumption of a 2.5D water content model. Therefore, the surface nuclear magnetic resonance technique has promise as a means for detection and/or monitoring of internal erosion and piping in earthen embankments.within the structure and cannot be directly observed. The observation of seepage is not necessarily evidence of internal erosion as earth-and rock-fill dams are often designed, and intended, to seep (Butler and Llopis 1990). A common progression of erosion propagation is backwards from the landward-side inward towards the water-side, a process which can take years to develop, until a critical point is reached when progression can be rapid (Fell et al. 2003).Geophysical methods provide a means to assess the internal integrity of these structures, and monitor the slow progression of internal erosion processes. Geophysical methods have proven to be effective at identifying suspect zones where internal erosion and piping may be occurring. Most often a toolbox of geophysical tools is relied upon which, depending on circumstances, may include any of the following non-exhaustive list:
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