Assessing the Performance of Soil and Grass in Resisting Erosion

The performances of the grass cover when a dam or embankment is being overflowed or overtopped (waves) is a critical factor in controlling the process of breach development which can lead to catastrophic failure. Similarly, the performance of soil in resisting the processes of external and internal erosion is critical when a dam/embankment is under load. Our current understanding of the performance of grass and soil is limited, confined to incomplete and out dated research completed in the 1970's and 80's. The overall objective of this project is to improve our quantitative understanding of grass and soil performance when a dam or flood embankment is under load and/or being overtopped/overflowed. It will also consolidate current understanding and will seek to bring together other international research efforts.