Modeling Dam Break Events Using Shallow Water Model

Abstract

Estimation of the potential consequences from events occurring downstream of a dam is part of the risk assessment needed during the installation phase of a new dam. In the case of specific natural or man-made ongoing or prospected events, it may also be important to carry out fast computations that can provide information on the areas at risk either because the original design analyses are not available or because the parameters needed are different. This study aimed to develop a procedure that strongly facilitates the preparation of the input deck and the derivation of the output quantities to allow a fast analysis of a dam break event using a shallow water model, NAMI DANCE, as the analysis tool. The analysis shows that in a few minutes, it is possible to obtain the input deck for a new case. This makes it possible to include the prospected methods into automatic routines in analytical tools such as the Global Disasters Alerts and Coordination System (GDACS) to have a quick overview of the expected flood due to a dam break event.