Modeling Dam-Break Flows Using Finite Volume Method on Unstructured Grid

Abstract

This study aims to develop a robust, accurate, and computationally efficient numerical model for dam-break flows. The model is based on the finite volume method on an unstructured triangular grid. The intercell flux is computed by the HLL approximate Riemann solver. The model employs the form of the shallow water equations in which the effects of pressure and gravity are included in one source term. Such a choice can simplify the computation and eliminate numerical imbalance between source and flux terms. The accuracy and computational efficiency of the newly developed model are demonstrated through several test problems, including oblique hydraulic jump, a laboratory partial dam-break case, and a real-life dam-break case. It is found that the model is robust and capable of accurately predicting dam-break flows that may occur over complicated terrain and involve subcritical flows, supercritical flows, and transcritical flows.