Review on model development techniques for dam break flood wave propagation

Catastrophic failure of dam structures has often led to severe consequences. The colossal wave receding at a higher velocity from the sudden failure of the dams may obliterate the downstream areas causing loss of lives and property damage. Thus, proper mitigation measures and contingency plans must be formulated beforehand to minimize the impact of such disasters. Consequently, there has been a strong tendency to study dam breach flood modeling using different approaches for both hypothetical dam breach scenarios and real incidents. The technology used for dam breach studies is advancing and a comprehensive review of the existing methodologies would help the modelers in their model development. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art methodologies utilized in studies to propagate the dam break flood wave. Furthermore this guides the selection of methods best suited considering the project-specific requirements and the complexity of project to simulate the risk to the vulnerable areas generated from the dam break flood flow. Different terrain datasets, mesh generation techniques and calibration techniques have been adapted and adhered to improve computational accuracy, stability and efficiency in modeling dam break floods. The use of high-resolution global and site-specific datasets, subgrid models, the choice of roughness coefficients and high-resolution time steps have to be investigated thoroughly in these models. The paper reviews the existing methodologies with the strengths and limitations facilitating the future dam breach modelers to select the suitable approach in dam break flood wave modeling. This article is categorized under: Engineering Water > Sustainable Engineering of Water Science of Water > Water Extremes Water and Life > Conservation, Management, and Awareness