Detection of internal erosion in embankment dams using temperature, resistivity and SP measurements

Several projects were carried out in the late 80ties in Sweden in order to find appropriate methods to detect seepage changes and internal erosion.A general study of possible non-destructive methods identified temperature, resistivity and Streaming Potential (SP) as themost appropriate methods to study internal erosion and seepage (Johansson et al 1995). Those methods have since 1993 been applied in several dams for long term monitoring. Extensive research within this field have also been carried out in several other countries especially Germany, US, Canada, and South Korea.