A NUMERICAL STUDY OF DAM-BREAK FLOW AND SEDIMENT TRANSPORT FROM A QUAKE LAKE

Abstract

Dam-break flows are simulated numerically by a two-dimensional shallow-water-equation model that combines a hydrodynamic module and a sediment transport module. The model is verified by available analytical solutions and experimental data. It is demonstrated that the model is a reliable tool for the simulation of various transient shallow water flows and the associated sediment transport and bed morphology on complex topography. The validated model is then applied to investigate the potential dam-break flows from Tangjiashan Quake Lake resulting from Wenchuan Earthquake in 2008. The dam-break flow evolution is simulated by using the model in order to provide the flooding patterns (e.g., arrival time and flood height) downstream. Furthermore, the sediment transport and bed morphology simulation is performed locally to study the bed variation under the high-speed dam-break flow.