Modelling breach initiation and growth

Predicting how a flood defence structure, such as a river or coastal embankment, behaves under varying load conditions is an essential part of undertaking a flood risk assessment. This understanding directly influences the prediction of rate and volume of any flood water that may cross over or through the flood defence structure and impact on the protected area behind. A range of research and model development has been undertaken through Task 6 of the FLOODsite project, building upon earlier work under the IMPACT project an linking with ongoing international initiatives such as the Dam Safety Interest Group breach modelling project. This paper outlines the innovative research undertaken by three organisations within FLOODsite investigatins wave induced breach initiation, the influence of soil state and cracking on initiation and improved simulation of the breach initiation and growth stages to support flood risk analyses.