Modeling experiment of break of debris-flow dam

Abstract

Glaciers are extensively developed in the southwest of Tibet and the moraines are widely distributed with large depth. Large-scale debris flows are often reported which blocked rivers and formed dams. In this paper, seven large debris flows in four valleys are discussed, among which five dams developed. 13 sets of experiments have been conducted in laboratory to simulate the formation and failure of the dam. Finally, a model of dam failure is proposed and a formula is established to calculate the flood discharge: \(Q = k\frac{{b_h h_k }}{T}\frac{{\bar B}}{L}G^{0.41} \), where bk is the outlet width of the dam at the original water level, hk the erosive depth, T the time from overflow to final state of failure, the average width of lake; L the length of the lake, and G the total potential energy of the water in the lake.