Erosion potential of pipe embedment materials through defective sewer pipes

This research investigates the potential of sinkhole formation due to cracks or openings in buried sewer pipes. A new laboratory test apparatus was developed, and this was efficiently used to understand the mechanism of backfill erosion through the various size of pipe defects. The proposed methodology is also useful for the industry to evaluate the erosion susceptibility of various pipe bedding materials. The study highlights the risks associated with some widely used backfilling materials and provides a pathway to the effective control of sinkhole formation due to pipe defects by simply improving the pipe backfill without any additional construction or maintenance costs.