Author(s): Laura E. Huber; Frederic M. Evers; Willi H. Hager

Linked Author(s): Frederic Evers, Willi H. Hager

Keywords: Dam erosion; dam overtopping; granular dam; impulse wave; solitary wave

Abstract: The goal of this research is to investigate the effect of a solitary wave overtopping a granular dam. Impulse waves are modelled herein with solitary waves. If the wave impacts a dam, wave run-up and possibly overtopping occur, leading eventually to large damage or even a dam breach. This research attempts to explore these processes with a 2-D laboratory study. The effects of still-water depth, wave amplitude, sediment diameter and uniformity, dam face slope, and dam crest width are systematically studied. Questions of interest include: how much water overtops the dam; and how long does the overtopping process last? The data analysis led to fit equations for (1) the overtopping depth; (2) the overtopping volume; (3) the wave overtopping duration; (4) the eroded crest depth; (5) the eroded dam area; and (6) the deposited dam area. The results allow for the prediction of the above parameters based on the governing fundamental parameters.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00221686.2017.1356757

Year: 2017