| dc.description.abstract | Damaging outbursts of flooding triggered by embankment failures must be evaluated as part of the risk management of possible threats in order to prepare emergency action plans. The best testing procedure is to use statistically constructed parametric models based on historic dam collapses to evaluate the breaching of embankment dams. However, it is generally acknowledged that the estimation uncertainties of such equations are significant. Important considerations such as structural characteristics, erodibility, configuration, and construction are not taken into account in these calculations. This research compares the precision of estimating the breach parameters of earth fill and rockfill embankments by investigating and displaying the available statistically determined breach equations and comparing them individually. In addition, the approaches used by two generalized physically-based breach models to model overtopping breach formations were studied. Furthermore, four preliminary physical simulations were performed at the hydraulic laboratory of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. The method of performing such experiments is described, with restrictions and the breach process addressed. Instrumentation of the model includes video recording from multiple angles. The video is used to extract images at intervals throughout the breaching process, and 3D models of the breach opening of selected tests created using “Structure from motion” and “Multi-View Stereo” processing techniques. The outcome of the study supports further use of this technique in the analysis of the breach process. | |
