TECHNICAL PAPERS
May 1, 1984

Breaching Charateristics of Dam Failures

Publication: Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 110, Issue 5

Abstract

Computer programs developed for dam safety analyses are limited by the accuracy of the input data for the geometric and temporal dam breach characteristics. Data on a number of historical dam failures were collected and analyzed and graphical relationships for predicting breach characteristics were developed for erosion type breaches. The data provides a basis for selecting a breach shape and calculating the breach size and the time for breach development. A relationship is also developed for estimating peak outflows from dam failures. This relationship can be used to verify the methodology and the results of dam safety studies.

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Go to Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 110Issue 5May 1984
Pages: 567 - 586

History

Published online: May 1, 1984
Published in print: May 1984

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Authors

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Thomas C. MacDonald
Principal Engr., Leedshill‐Herkenhoff, Inc., Consulting Engineers, 1275 Market St., San Francisco, Calif. 94103
Jennifer Langridge‐Monopolis
Engr., Leedshill‐Herkenhoff, Inc., Consulting Engineers, 1275 Market St., San Francisco, Calif. 94103

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