Numerical Study of the Dynamics and Structure of a Partial Dam-Break Flow Using the VOF Method

Abstract

This paper aims to evaluate the effects of the opening width of a dam site on the evolution of partial dam-break waves over a fixed dry bed. The volume of fluid (VOF) method was used to scrutinize the propagation of the dam-break free surface. The model was validated using experimental data provided in the literature. At the same time, a sensitivity analysis was conducted on the size of the mesh cells and the turbulence model. However, the large eddy simulation (LES) method showed the highest accuracy among all the models. The results affirmed the crucial role of the opening width of the dam site in the flow characteristics. In this direction, diminishing the opening width results in a reduction of the wave-front travel distance, free surface gradient within the reservoir, outflow discharge values, damping the outflow hydrographs and decreasing the Froude number values at the dam site. Conversely, this leads to an increase in the air bubbles entrained within the wave and results in energy dissipation across the downstream channel.