Chua, K.V. and Hassan, M. and Goff, C. and Morris, M. and Haddad, H. (2025) Enhancing understanding of breach processes using computational fluid dynamics and laboratory tests. In: Protections 2025 (5th International Seminar on Dam Protections Against Overtopping), 29 April - 1 May 2025, Stillwater, USA. (In Press)
Full text not available from this repository.Abstract
Accurate prediction of dam breach processes is crucial for risk assessment and emergency response planning. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) offers a powerful tool for simulating such complex phenomena. However, the reliability of CFD models hinges on their validation against experimental data. This paper compares numerical simulations by the open-source code, OpenFOAM, to laboratory flume experiments to assess the accuracy of its predictions of dam breach overtopping processes. OpenFOAM is first being used to model the flow characteristics of two key stages of a dam breach experiment that took place in a physical laboratory setup. The two stages are the surface erosion stage and the steep faced / stepped erosion stage. The flume dimensions, bed profiles and flow conditions are replicated with the CFD numerical models. The free water surface is modelled with the Volume of Fluid (VOF) method while the flow is modelled using the Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) equations. CFD flow velocity results are validated against the flume measurements. A second idealised case is also presented to show the effect of mesh resolution on bed shear stress distribution. The findings of this study provide insights into the capabilities and limitations of CFD models for predicting dam breach flows. This research contributes to the development of more accurate and reliable tools for assessing the potential impacts of dam failures. This work is ongoing, and results presented here are preliminary.
| Item Type: | Conference or Workshop Item (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | CFD, dam breach, OpenFOAM, experimental |
| Subjects: | Floods > Dams and reservoirs Maritime > General |
| Divisions: | Floods Maritime |
| Depositing User: | Helen Stevenson |
| Date Deposited: | 04 Jul 2025 10:35 |
| Last Modified: | 04 Jul 2025 10:35 |
| URI: | http://eprints.hrwallingford.com/id/eprint/1690 |
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