Integrated GIS Mapping and Laboratory Investigation of Soil Piping

Abstract

Internal erosion in soils, particularly in the form of soil piping, is a critical geotechnical problem that can lead to severe instability of slopes, embankments, and earth structures. Soil piping is a progressive process in which seepage water removes fine soil particles, forming underground tunnels that gradually develop into continuous pipes and weaken the soil mass. This phenomenon is commonly initiated under conditions of high hydraulic gradient and in loose, silty, or poorly graded soils, with erosion typically beginning at the downstream side and advancing upstream. This project presents an integrated approach combining laboratory investigation and Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping to study internal erosion due to soil piping. Laboratory experiments are conducted using a permeability-type apparatus to simulate seepage conditions and evaluate the susceptibility of different soil samples to piping based on their basic engineering properties. The experimental results are then integrated with spatial data using GIS techniques to map zones vulnerable to internal erosion. The GIS-based analysis helps visualise the spatial variation of soil properties and identify areas prone to piping failure. The integrated methodology enhances the understanding of soil piping mechanisms and provides a practical tool for predicting internal erosion-prone zones. The outcomes of this study are expected to support better planning, design, and mitigation strategies for geotechnical and hydraulic structures by combining experimental evidence with spatial analysis.