One-Dimensional Dam-Break Solutions for Variable Width Channels
Publication: Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 123, Issue 5
Abstract
In modeling dam-break floods in natural channels, the practicing engineer must decide whether to use a one-dimensional (1D) or a two-dimensional (2D) numerical model. Here in the examination of what might be considered a 2D problem, it is clearly illustrated that a 1D formulation provides an excellent solution. The solution is based on a formulation of the St. Venant equations developed for rectangular channels of varying widths, which are applied to the experimental dam-break study conducted in a converging-diverging flume. Numerical solutions based on a conservation formulation solved with the characteristic dissipative Galerkin (CDG) finite-element method are compared to results obtained with a conventional nonconservation formulation, solved by the “box” (four-point implicit) finite-difference method. For subcritical dam-break problems, it is shown that the quality of the result does not depend upon the particular numerical solution technique used. Although the four-point implicit scheme was unable to provide solutions in tests where both subcritical and supercritical flow occurred, the CDG results shows that any conservative, shock capturing 1D scheme would work well on this type of problem.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
1.
Akanbi, A. A., and Katapodes, N. D.(1988). “Model for flood propagation on initially dry land.”J. Hydr. Engrg., ASCE, 114(7), 689–706.
2.
Amien, M.(1968). “An implicit method for numerical flood routing.”Water Resour. Res., 4(4), 719–726.
3.
Bellos, C. V., Soulis, J. V., and Sakkas, J. G.(1992). “Experimental investigation of two-dimensional dam-break induced flow.”Int. J. Hydr. Res., Delft, The Netherlands, 40(1), 47–63.
4.
Fennema, R. J., and Chaudhry, M. H.(1987). “Simulation of one-dimensional dam-break flows.”Int. J. Hydr. Res., 25(1), 41–51.
5.
Fread, D. L. (1977). “The development and testing of a dam-break flood forecasting model.”Proc., Dam-Break Flood Modeling Workshop, U.S. Water Resources Council, Washington, D.C., 164–197.
6.
Fread, D. L. (1988). The NWS DAMBRK model: Theoretical background/user documentation. Office of Hydrology, National Weather Service (NWS), Silver Spring, Md.
7.
Hicks, F. E., and Steffler, P. M.(1992). “Characteristic dissipative Galerkin scheme for open channel flow.”J. Hydr. Engrg., ASCE, 118(2), 337–352.
8.
Hicks, F. E., and Steffler, P. M.(1994). “Comparison of finite element methods for the St. Venant equations.”Int. J. Numer. Methods in Fluids, 20(2), 99–113.
9.
Hicks, F. E., Steffler, P. M., and Gerard, R.(1992). “Finite element modeling of surge propagation and an application to the Hay River, NWT.”Can. J. Civ. Engrg., 19(3), 454–462.
10.
Katopodes, N. D.(1984). “A dissipative Galerkin scheme for open-channel flow.”J. Hydr. Engrg., ASCE, 110(4), 450–466.
11.
Katopodes, N. D., and Wu, C. T.(1986). “Explicit computation of discontinuous channel flow.”J. Hydr. Engrg., ASCE, 112(6), 456–475.
12.
Liggett, J. A., and Cunge, J. A. (1975). “Numerical methods of solution of the unsteady flow equations in open channels.”Unsteady flow in open channels, K. Mahmood and Y. Yevjevich, eds., Vol. 1, Water Resources Publications, Fort Collins, Colo., 89–182.
13.
Lyn, D. A., and Goodwin, P.(1987). “Stability of a general Preissmann scheme.”J. Hydr. Engrg., ASCE, 113(1), 16–28.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 123 • Issue 5 • May 1997
Pages: 464 - 468
Copyright
Copyright © 1997 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: May 1, 1997
Published in print: May 1997
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.