The use of smart infrastructure in dams to protect communities from flooding

Tagg, A. and Murphy, A. and Davison, M. and Goff, C. (2016) The use of smart infrastructure in dams to protect communities from flooding. In: CDA 2015 Annual Conference, 5-8 October 2015, Mississauga, Canada.

PDF HRPP700_Smart_infrastructure_in_dams.pdf Download (1MB)

Abstract

The RTIM system outlined in this paper arose out of the EU funded UrbanFlood research project (2009-2012), which looked at combining sensors, embedded in urban flood embankments, with predictive breach and flood consequence models. The system was piloted on 3 sites in Europe. This successful demonstration of a new approach to asset monitoring, using cloud computing, sensor technology and predictive models, was assessed as an ‘excellent’ project by the EU evaluators. The technology has since evolved into the RTIM system, as a joint initiative between HR Wallingford and Siemens, and is currently being trialled for a UK dam owner. The RTIM system contains a cascade of physical process models for levee reliability, breaching, flood spreading and life safety. This enables scenarios of levee or dam failure to be run based on real time information and the resulting flood consequence assessed for emergency management. The paper will describe the background of the various elements of the RTIM system, with examples from the Boston pilot site in England. The system makes use of the Life Safety Model (LSM) for evacuation planning. HR Wallingford, in partnership with BC Hydro, is now responsible for the development and maintenance of the model, which is being used for emergency planning of flood evacuations internationally, which are briefly described.

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