Dam-Breach Flood Wave Propagation Using Dimensionless Parameters
Publication: Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 129, Issue 10
Abstract
An analytical model of flood wave propagation is used to study the sensitivity of dam-breach flood waves to breach-outflow hydrograph volume, peak discharge, and downstream-channel bed slope. Dimensionless parameters are identified for discharge and distance along the channel. A dam-breach Froude number is defined to enable analysis through a wide range of site and flow conditions. It is found that, at a certain distance downstream, the attenuated peak discharge is independent of the magnitude of the discharge at the breach site. This attenuated peak discharge is termed the “ultimate discharge,” and the distance associated with it, the “ultimate distance.” These ultimate values are a function, primarily of the downstream-channel bed slope and, secondarily, of the breach-outflow hydrograph volume.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 129 • Issue 10 • October 2003
Pages: 777 - 782
Copyright
Copyright © 2003 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Nov 14, 2002
Accepted: Mar 12, 2003
Published online: Sep 15, 2003
Published in print: Oct 2003
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