Backward erosion piping (BEP) is a type of internal erosion responsible for the failure of
many dams and levees. BEP occurs when small, shallow erosion channels progress
upstream through foundation sands beneath the structure. As analysis of BEP involves
coupling two different sets of flow equations to describe the groundwater flow and erosion
pipe flow, the solution contains a singularity in the gradient field at the juncture of the soil
and pipe domains. In addition, the erosion process is highly localized, often occurring over …