Dam-break Wave Research Articles

Experimental and Numerical Analysis of a Dam-Break Flow through Different Contraction Geometries of the Channel

Dam-break wave propagation usually occurs over irregular topography, due for example to natural contraction-expansion of the river bed and to the presence of natural or artificial obstacles. Due to limited available dam-break real-case data, laboratory and numerical modeling studies are significant for understanding this type of complex flow problems. To contribute to the related field, a dam-break flow over a channel with a contracting reach was investigated experimentally and numerically. Laboratory tests were carried out in a smooth rectangular channel with a horizontal dry bed for three different lateral contraction geometries. A non-intrusive digital imaging technique was utilized to analyze the dam-break wave propagation. Free surface profiles and time variation of water levels in selected sections were obtained directly from three synchronized CCD video camera records through a virtual wave probe. The experimental results were compared against the numerical solution of VOF (Volume of Fluid)-based Shallow Water Equations (SWEs) and Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations with the k-ε turbulence model. Good agreements were obtained between computed and measured results. However, the RANS solution shows a better correspondence with the experimental results compared with the SWEs one. The presented new experimental data can be used to validate numerical models for the simulation of dam-break flows over irregular topography.

Well-balanced and shock-capturing solving of 3D shallow-water equations involving rapid wetting and drying with a local 2D transition approach

In this study, we develop a shock-capturing numerical model for solving the three-dimensional shallow-water equations with turbulence closure. Numerical discretization is performed using the Godunov-type finite-volume method in σ coordinates. An approximate Riemann solver is used for numerical flux evaluations. To efficiently and accurately resolve the wet–dry fronts, we propose a local 2D transition approach (i.e., switching from solving the three-dimensional shallow-water equations to solving the depth-averaged two-dimensional shallow-water equations) with using a rather small value of threshold water depth (1×10−6m) to distinguish dry cells from the wet ones. A fully-implicit discretization method of the bed-friction terms is developed, which was originally proposed to solve the depth-averaged two-dimensional shallow-water equations. A series of benchmark tests are used to assess the performance of the numerical models, showing that the proposed model is well-balanced and robust to resolve violent free-surface flows. The local 2D transition approach is found to significantly reduce the computational time by one to three orders in a dam-break wave propagation test, and by about 1∕2–2∕3 in a breaking solitary wave runup test, compared with a same simulation without using this approach.

Experimental Study of Dam-Break-Like Tsunami Bore Impact Mechanism on a Container Model

Abstract Tsunami disasters have frequently occurred in recent years. More and more researchers are focusing on this topic. To investi-gate the tsunami bore impact mechanism on a container model, a multi-functional slope-changing tsunami flume is built in this study. To simulate a tsunami bore, a dam-break wave was generated by a free-falling gate in a reservoir. A needle water level gauge and a high-speed camera were used to measure the tsunami wave heights and velocities for different storage water levels in the test flume, and the corresponding Froude numbers of tsunami waves were also calculated. The factors af-fecting the movement distance of the tsunami wave impacting the container model are explored in this experiment, and the results show that the movement distance is positively correlated with the storage water level, and negatively correlated with the container density and the coast slope.

Two-Dimensional Free-Surface Flow Modeling for Wave-Structure Interactions and Induced Motions of Floating Bodies

In this study, the level set (LS) and immersed boundary (IB) methods were integrated into a Navier–Stokes equation two-phase flow solver, to investigate wave-structure interactions and induced motions of floating bodies in two dimensions. The movement of an interfacial boundary of two fluids, even with severe free-surface deformation, is tracked by using the level set method, while an immersed object inside a fluid domain is treated by the IB method. Both approaches can be implemented by solving the Navier–Stokes equations for viscous laminar flows with embedded objects in fluids. For accurate treatment of the solid–liquid phase, appropriate source terms as forcing functions to take into account the hydrodynamic effects on the body boundaries are added into the governing equations. The integrated compact interfacial tracking techniques between the interfaces of gas–liquid phase and the solid–liquid phase allow the use of a combined Eulerian Cartesian and Lagrangian grid system. Problems related to the fluid-structure interactions and induced motions of a floating body, such as (a) a dam-break wave over a dry bed; (b) a dam-break wave over either a submerged semicircular or rectangular cylinder; (c) wave decomposition process over a trapezoid breakwater; (d) a free-falling wedge into a water body; and (e) wave packet interacting with a floating body are selected to test the model performance. For all cases, the computed results are found to agree reasonably well with published experimental data and numerical solutions. For the case of modeling wave decomposition process, improved solutions are obtained. The detailed features of flow phenomena described by the physical variables of velocity, pressure and vorticity are presented and discussed. The present two-phase flow model is proved to have the advantage of simulating the cases with induced severe interfacial oscillations and coupled gas (or air) motions where the single-phase model may miss the contributions of the air motions on the interfaces. Additionally, the proposed method with uses of the LS and IB methods is demonstrated to be able to achieve the reliable predictions of complex flow fields.

Impact hydrodynamique des vagues contre les bâtiments

Les tsunamis, les vagues d'impulsion et les ruptures de barrages représentent des phénomènes extrêmes qui mettent en danger la vie des personnes et la fonctionnalité des infrastructures. Des événements récents dans l'Océan Indien (2004), au Japon (2011) et en Indonésie (2018) ont montré que des mesures constructives peuvent réduire les charges induites sur les structures, et l'objectif de cette étude est d'évaluer et d'analyser le dommage potentiel des bâtiments frappés par des vagues. Au travers d'un programme expérimental étendu, cette recherche d'abord caractérise le comportement hydrodynamique des vagues sur fond sec et sur fond mouillé en termes de la célérité du front, des hauteurs d'eau et des profils de vitesse derrière le front. Ensuite, l'avantage d'avoir des bâtiments perméables pour réduire les hauteurs d'eau et les sollicitations en cas d'inondation est démontré. En outre, cette étude introduit des formules simples pour prédire la charge hydrodynamique sur un bâtiment, en tenant compte de l'effet des ouvertures au travers d'un coefficient de résistance adapté. Ces résultats fournissent des informations importantes pour le dimensionnement d'infrastructures plus sûres, qui puissent agir comme refuges verticaux en cas de dangers naturels liés à l'eau.

Numerical study of shallow-water equations using three explicit schemes application to dam break flood wave

The numerical method to solve dam break problem on regular bathymetry was developed. Two cases of dam break wave propagation on wet and dry bottoms were selected to verify the numerical model elaborated. Three numerical schemes of Lax-Friedrichs, Adams-Bashforth and Adams-Bashforth-Adams-Moulton are applied to simulate this phenomenon using the 1D Saint-Venant equations. An artificial viscosity is added to these numerical schemes to provide stability and reduce numerical diffusion. This viscosity makes the numerical scheme robust (very powerful) for the simulation of this phenomenon. The results obtained show that these developed models are able to simulate dam break wave propagation process. The relative error in the L1 norm between the computed results and analytical solutions is calculated. The L1 norm indicates that the Adams-Bashforth-Adams-Moulton scheme has better accuracy than the other two schemes. It is shown that the technique used is simple, accurate, robust and stable for the simulation of the dam break wave propagation on wet and dry bed conditions.

Numerical Study of Dam Break Waves on Movable Beds for Complex Terrain by Volume of Fluid Method

In this study, a method based on the Navier-Stokes equation was developed to simulate the dam break flow. The free surface movement of water is carried out using the Newtonian fluid model, and the mud impurity movement is performed by the model of non-Newtonian fluid based on the volume of fluid (VOF) method. In order to minimize the fluctuations of the free surface near a moving front, the VOF method was used. The numerical Pressure-Implicit with Splitting of Operators (PISO) algorithm was chosen as a numerical method for solving equations. The developed model is verified with a wide range of measurement results and with the computational data of other authors. Good computational data were obtained from flood forecasting resulting from the instantaneous collapse of the dam. It has been demonstrated that this model is well balanced and reliable, and can accurately record the movement of dam break in difficult terrain. With the help of the proposed model, the Mynzhylky dam break flow was modeled.

CALCULATION OF THE MORPHOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CLOSURE CHANNEL AND THE EXTREME DISCHARGE DURING BREAKTHROUGHS OF GROUND DAMS

The work is devoted to the calculation of the size of the closure channel in the ground dams when water is poured from the water reservoir through peak and the extreme discharge of the dam break wave. The authors analyzed the methods of calculation prescribed in regulations and recommended by regulatory authorities. The calculation was made of the morphometric characteristics of the closure channel and extreme discharge of the dam break wave by various methods for specific objects, the comparison with expert estimates of these parameters. It is noted that the method, described in two regulations, has no physical justification, because according to it the size of closure channel and the parameters of breakthrough wave do not depend on the initial volume of water in the reservoir. The calculation method in the third regulation, does not take into account such factor as the time of erosion and the results are different at times with different specified step of erosion depth. This regulation is characterized by the use of empirical relations, which have a rather narrow range of use, and a lack of account of the relationship between the formation of the closure channel and the value of water discharge. Due to the lack of validity of the recommended calculation methods and large variation with expert estimates prescribed in the regulations, there is a need to create new alternative methods of calculation. This article discusses 2 such methods developed in various organizations. The first of them indirectly takes into account the material of the dam through calculated non-eroding velocity. The second one is based on the physical process of erosion, that is distinguishe it from others. As a test of the calculated values, there were used data on several recent catastrophic breakthroughs of groundwater dams. The comparison results allow us to conclude that alternative methods give greater accuracy. Based on the previous, can be done a preliminary conclusion about the need to revise existing regulations.

Use of fluid structure interaction technique for flash flood impact assessment of structural components

AbstractPrediction of the initial impact force is a major task associated with flood damage assessment of structures subjected to flash flooding especially due to dam break and levee breach. Investigation of failure modes such as overturning and sliding due to soil scouring or erosion is not relevant if the structure first fails by the massive initial dynamic impact. Therefore, a careful assessment of the initial flood impact is critical for the design of structures and during the flood damage assessment process. In most of the past flood damage studies, total flood load acting on the structures was estimated by maximum velocities and water depths obtained from the two‐dimensional hydrodynamic models or the field data. The outcome of these results has shown potential uncertainty in current methods. We present a new approach to calculate the load on structural components impacted by a dam break wave, by modelling the three‐dimensional free surface fluid–structure interaction (FSI) using the incompressible computational fluid dynamics (ICFD) techniques. Two experimental datasets available in the literature are used to validate the results. Finally, we conclude that FSI/IFCD method can be used to accurately determine the initial impact force on structural components subjected to flash floods for flood damage assessment.

A new 1D coupled hydrodynamic discrete element model for floating debris in violent shallow flows

The effect of floating objects has so far rarely been considered in flood modelling and risk assessment, despite having significant implications for structural design in flood-prone and coastal areas. In this work, a novel two-way method is proposed to fully couple a discrete element model to a hydrodynamic model to simulate complex debris-enriched flow hydrodynamics. The adopted hydrodynamic model solves the nonlinear shallow water equations (SWEs) using a finite volume shock-capturing numerical method. After being validated against an idealized analytical test, the new coupled model is used to reproduce flume experiments of floating debris driven by dam-break waves. The numerical results agree well with the experimental measurements, demonstrating the model’s capability in simulating the complex fluid–debris interactions induced by violent shallow flows.

Analytical Solution of Shallow Water Equations for Ideal Dam-Break Flood along a Wet-Bed Slope

AbstractThe existing analytical solutions of dam-break flow do not consider simultaneously the effects of wet downstream bottom and bed slope on the dam-break wave propagation. In this study, a new...

Cause analysis for a new type of devastating flash flood

Abstract This work introduces an unprecedented flash flood that resulted in nine casualties in Shimen Valley, China, 2015. Through field survey and numerical simulation the causes of the disaster are systematically analyzed, finding that the intense storm, terrain features, and the large woody debris (LWD) played important roles. The intense storm induced fast runoff and, in turn, high discharges as a result of the steep catchment surfaces and channels. The flood flushed LWD and boulders downstream until blockage occurred in a contraction section, forming a debris lake. When the debris dam broke, a dam break wave rapidly propagated to the valley mouth, washing people away. After considering the disaster-inducing factors, measures for preventing similar floods are proposed. The analysis presented herein should help others manage flash floods in mountain areas.

Effect of Debris Damming on Wave-Induced Hydrodynamic Loads against Free-Standing Buildings with Openings

Tsunamis, impulse waves, and dam-break waves are rare but catastrophic events, associated with casualties and damage to infrastructures. An adequate description of these waves is vital to assure human safety and to generate resilient structures. Furthermore, a specific building geometry with openings, such as windows and doors, reduces wave-induced loads and increases the probability that a building withstands. However, waves often carry a large volume of debris, generating supplementary impact forces and creating debris dams around buildings, limiting the beneficial effects of the openings. Herein, a preliminary study on the three-dimensional (3D) effect of debris dams on postpeak wave-induced loads under unsteady flow conditions is presented based on laboratory experiments. Both wooden logs (forest) and shipping containers were tested, showing different behaviors. Shipping containers were associated with severe impact force peaks, whereas the interlocking nature of forest-Type debris provoked a compact debris dam, leading to higher and longer-lasting hydrodynamic forces. The arrangement of the debris also had an influence on the resulting structural loading. All tested scenarios were analyzed in terms of horizontal force, cantilever arm, and impulse acting on the building. This study presents a methodology to support the evaluation of postpeak debris-induced loads for the design of safer resilient buildings.

An exact source-term balancing scheme on the finite element solution of shallow water equations

In this paper, a numerical model is presented based on a semi-discrete Streamline Upwind Petrov–Galerkin scheme for solving the two-dimensional shallow water equations with arbitrary bed topography and wetting–drying fronts. The present finite element method is implemented for moving-boundary problems on fixed numerical meshes. In order to satisfy the C-property for both still water and dry regions, a new exact source-term balancing method is presented within the finite element framework. The formulation is stabilized using two different stabilization terms, and a discontinuity-capturing scheme is used to simulate steep wave fronts. The second-order scheme is applied for both temporal and spatial discretization. The proposed mathematical balancing method is verified through well-known test cases including the traditional dam break problem, evolution of a dam break wave over an obstacle, and oscillation of a bead of water in a parabolically-shaped basin.

Three-Dimensional Numerical Method for Simulating Large-Scale Free Water Surface by Massive Parallel Computing on a GPU

Water wave dynamics and its engineering application have always been a key issue in the field of hydraulics, and effective and efficient numerical methods need to be proposed to perform three-dimensional (3-D) simulation of large-scale water fluctuation in engineering practice. A single-phase free-surface lattice Boltzmann method (SPFS-LB method) is coupled with a large-eddy simulation approach for simulating large-scale free water surface flows, and the simulation is accelerated on a GPU (graphic processing unit). The coupling model is used to simulate the evolution process of dam-break wave after complete and partial dam-break. The formation mechanism of horizontal and vertical vortices in water after partial dam-break and the advance and evolution process of dam-break flow on non-contour riverbed are analyzed. The method has been verified to be reasonable and can obtain a more accurate time curve of water level fluctuation. Applying this method to practical arch dams, discharge coefficients consistent with empirical formulas can be obtained by comparison and analysis, and the surface flow phenomena (such as tongue diffusion, surface fragmentation, and surface fusion) can be well simulated by this method. In addition, based on the key technology of parallel computing on a GPU, the implementation of the SPFS-LB model on a GPU unit achieves tens of millions of lattice updates per second, which is over fifty times higher than that on a single CPU chip. It is proved that the proposed method for large-scale water fluctuations can be used to study practical engineering problems. The mathematical model method realizes the efficient and accurate simulation of practical physical problems.

Experimental Study on Extreme Hydrodynamic Loading on Pipelines Part 2: Induced Force Analysis

Adequate design of pipelines used for oil, gas, water, and wastewater transmission is essential not only for their proper operation but particularly to avoid failure and the possible extreme consequences. This is even more drastic in nearshore environments, where pipelines are potentially exposed to extreme hydrodynamic events, such as tsunami- or storm-surge-induced inundation. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), in its ASCE7 Chapter 6 on Tsunami Loads and Effects which is the new standard for tsunami impacts and loading, specifically stresses the need to study loads on pipelines located in tsunami-prone areas. To address this issue, this study is the first of its kind to investigate loading on pipelines due to tsunami-like bores. A comprehensive program of physical model experiments was conducted in the Dam-Break Hydraulic Flume at the University of Ottawa, Canada. The tests simulated on-land tsunami flow inundation propagating over a coastal plain. This allowed to record and investigate the hydrodynamic forces exerted on the pipe due to the tsunami-like, dam-break waves. Different pipe configurations, as well as various flow conditions, were tested to investigate their influence on exerted forces and moments. The goal of this study was to propose, based on the results of this study, resistance and lift coefficients which could be used for the design of pipelines located in tsunami-prone areas. The values of the resistance and lift coefficients investigated were found to be in the range of 1 < C R < 3.5 and 0.5 ≤ C L < 3 , respectively. To that end, the study provides an upper envelope of resistance and lift coefficients over a wide range of Froude numbers for design purposes.

Experimental Study on Extreme Hydrodynamic Loading on Pipelines. Part 1: Flow Hydrodynamics

Over the past two decades, extreme flood events generated by tsunamis or hurricanes have caused massive damage to nearshore infrastructures and coastal communities. Utility pipelines are part of such infrastructure and need to be protected against potential extreme hydrodynamic loading. Therefore, to address the uncertainties and parameters involved in extreme hydrodynamic loading on pipelines, a comprehensive experimental program was performed using an experimental facility which is capable of generating significant hydraulic forcing, such as dam-break waves. The study presented herein examines the dam-break flow characteristics and influence of the presence of pipelines on flow conditions. To simulate conditions of coastal flooding under tsunami-induced inundation, experiments were performed on both dry and wet bed conditions to assess the influence of different impoundment depths and still water levels on the hydrodynamic features.

Interaction of a dam-break wave with an obstacle over an erodible floodplain

Abstract Because of climate change, flood-prone areas are more and more frequently exposed to potential casualties and damage. The capability of the flow to carry relevant quantities of sediments during these critical events adds to the further complexity of the resulting scenarios. The interaction between the flow and the obstacles in flood-inundated areas contributes to an increase in the hazard level and constitutes a relevant concern in the framework of risk analysis. Despite this relevance, the existing literature on the topic is relatively scarce, especially for the estimation of the forces acting on rigid obstacles in the presence of a mobile bed. In the present paper, a recent two-phase shallow-water morphodynamical model, particularly suited for the analysis of fast geomorphic transients, is applied for the numerical simulation of the propagation of a dam-break wave over an erodible floodplain in the presence of a rigid obstacle. The geometry of the test-case is inspired by a recent fixed-bed study reported in the literature, for which extensive experimental and numerical data concerning the flow field and the dynamic loading against the obstacle are available. Results of the numerical simulations contribute to highlight the effects of the obstacle on the changes in the bottom topography.

Effect of bed roughness on tsunami-like waves and induced loads on buildings

Tsunami, impulse-waves and dam-break waves afflict humanity with casualties and damages. An insight into the flow mechanisms of these waves is important to provide safety and reduce reconstruction costs. This experimental study focuses on the effect of bed roughness on the main hydrodynamic properties of surges propagating on dry bed. In addition, the resulting wave impact forces on buildings with and without openings are studied. Results pointed out that dry bed surges on a rough bed had a lower front celerity and a higher flow depth, resulting into inundation depths during the impact around 20% higher as compared to the smooth bed. Furthermore, a rough bed induced a lower momentum flux during wave propagation, resulting into lower impact forces exerted on the building. The rough bed configuration also caused shorter impact durations, leading to lower impulse values transferred to the building. Results pointed out that even on rough bed, openings within the buildings linearly reduced impact forces, thus providing some helpful information for the design of safer coastal structures.

Effect of building overtopping on induced loads during extreme hydrodynamic events

ABSTRACT Tsunamis, impulse-waves and dam-break waves have affected humanity in recent decades and the construction of vertical shelters can provide safety to people. However, for non-critical infrastructures, typically residential houses of lower height, overtopping is accepted during such events. This study experimentally quantifies the effect of building overtopping, i.e. water flowing over the roof, on the resulting loading process. Both surges and bores were investigated and the impact against buildings with two different heights was assessed. Detailed measurements of forces and moments allowed key differences to be captured between the scenarios with and without overtopping. Results showed that overtopping induced higher downstream water depths, leading to lower horizontal forces and a reduced resistance coefficient. Furthermore, cantilever arm, moment and impulse values were constantly lower in case of overtopping. Finally, this study presents an innovative methodology to assess the main loading features of buildings subject to overtopping, supporting engineers to design safer resilient structures.