Simulation of interactions between dam-break flows and complex downstream beds using Flow 3D model

Abstract

Dam-break flow simulations are conducted all over the world, especially in the climate change phenomena taking place, complicated and impacting humans’ lives as well as the infrastructures. This paper introduces the interactions between dam-break flows and complex beds using the Flow-3D model. The analytical solution and the physical experiment are implemented to the dam-break flow over the simple and nonrough bed case to calibrate the numerical simulation. Two complex rough beds, which are the hump bed and the solid column bed, are selected to simulate the interactions between dam-break flows and these structures. With the hump bed, the Flow 3D model accurately simulates the flow characteristics over the rough bed and the flow height overtopping the hump. With the solid column bed, the flow velocities before and after a collision are simulated correctly when compared to the experimental data.