Detection of Potential Flooding Hazard from Embankment Failure using Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR)

Funded by SEARCH grant going to the research assistant, Margaret Abbott

Summary: Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) can be utilized as sensory prevention technology for monitoring the saturation point of soil mediums in a real time manner. The need for monitoring the saturation levels of any given soil medium is emphasized by the fact that these mediums are a major if not singular component of many flood-control and reservoir containment structures.  In addition to TDR failure sensing systems for emergency preparedness the benefits for a real-time saturation level TDR monitoring systems would be a decreased liability to property owners and the community.  Soil mediums under hydrologically saturated conditions exhibit a dielectric signature when an electrical pulse is applied by a TDR system, with some variability due to soil particle size, soil distribution, porosity, vegetation, salinity and degree of compaction. The project intent is to obtain these saturation point signatures of differing soil mediums under levee conditions.  The signature data can then be applied to scientific models which account for the previously mentioned variables. The knowledge of the dielectric saturation signature gives us the ability to more precisely predict a potential structural failure in real time and enhances the technological monitoring abilities of the TDR system.