Laboratory Investigation on the Breaching of Biopolymer-Treated Dams and Embankments

Biopolymer additives have been shown to increase soil resistance to erosion, but the utility in real world applications is unclear. Here, we present results of experiments on the role of biopolymer-treated (xanthan gum) soils to increase dam and levee resistance to breaching due to overtopping. Laboratory experiments were conducted with compacted sand with 0%, 0.05%, 0.1%, and 0.15% xanthan gum concentrations. The upstream reservoir water level was kept constant until dam failure. Breach discharge and topography were measured. Results confirm that adding xanthan gum decreases sand erodibility, and breach development in biopolymer-treated laboratory dams was slower than in untreated sand dams and failure time increases with xanthan gum concentration.