Embankment Breach Due to Overflowing: Mechanism, Models, Flood Simulation Technologies, and Their Applications

doi:10.11988/ckyyb.20220979

Abstract

Abstract:

Over the years, researchers in the River Research Department of the Changjiang River Scientific Research Institute has conducted extensive studies on the mechanism, models, and simulation technologies of embankment breaches due to overflowing. These efforts were aimed at enhancing the ability to respond to embankment breach emergencies and to defend associated disasters. Through the use of physical model tests, flume tests, theoretical analysis, numerical simulation, and other methods, the department has made significant contributions to the field. Specifically, we have uncovered the mechanism of embankment breaches due to overflowing, analyzed the role of “headcut erosion” in the breaching process, and introduced patterns of headcut erosion and phases of embankment breaching due to overflowing. Additionally, we have developed a two-dimensional mathematical model of headcut erosion and a mathematical model of embankment breaching based on the physical mechanism. Furthermore, we have created one-, two-, and three-dimensional flood simulation technologies that are adapted to the characteristics of dam-breaking flow, along with a terrain processing method, and have preliminarily explored the three-dimensional flow field and hydrodynamic pressure characteristics of dam-breaking flow. Last, we made a review on the research progress in related fields and the achievements published in scientific journals. The accomplishments of the department have already proven to be highly effective in emergency response and decision-making, specifically during the Tangjiashan and Baige barrier lake breach emergencies. These achievements provide technical reference and experience for addressing embankment breach (including barrier lake burst) dangers in the future.

Key words: embankment, barrier lake, embankment breaching mechanism, flood evolution, emergency response

CLC Number:

TV641
X43

Yong-hui ZHU, Jian-yin ZHOU. Embankment Breach Due to Overflowing: Mechanism, Models, Flood Simulation Technologies, and Their Applications[J]. Journal of Yangtze River Scientific Research Institute, 2023, 40(5): 1-8.

Figures/Tables 15

Fig.1 Physical model test of headcut erosion

Fig.2 Model calculation and experimental observation of the ‘headcut’ slope receding process for test Tm1[30]

Fig.3 Model calculation and experimental observation of the embankment height at the breach[27]

Fig.4 Comparison of embankment failure flood process between model calculation and experimental measurement[27]

Fig.5 Replaying the flood process at Beichuan station during Tangjiashan barrier lake breach[23]

Fig.6 Simulated and measured flood processes at Batang station in consideration of river base flow during the simulation of the “11·3” Baige Barrier Lake burst in Jinsha River [25]

Table 1 Calculation scheme of dam-breaking flood at different initial water levels

序号	方案编号	溃口最终高程/m	泄流渠底高程/m	起溃水位/ m	上游洪水频率/ %	溃决历时/ h
1	740-742.0-20y-1	720	740	742.0	5	1
2	740-740.2-20y-1	720	740	740.2	5	计算决定
3	740-752.0-20y-1	720	740	752.0	5	计算决定
4	740-742.0-20y-2	720	740	742.0	5	2
5	740-740.2-20y-2	720	740	740.2	5	计算决定
6	740-742.0-20y-3	720	740	742.0	5	3
7	740-740.2-20y-3	720	740	740.2	5	计算决定

Fig.7 Breach flood process at dam site when the initial water levels are 740.2 m,742.0 m and 752.0 m respectively[24]

Table 2 Flood peak flow at different stationsdownstream of the barrier lake

断面位置	距坝址距离/km	740-742.0-20y-2方案		740-742.0-20y-3方案
断面位置	距坝址距离/km	流量/ (m³·s^-1)	出现时间	流量/ (m³·s^-1)	出现时间
坝址	0	11 600	1 h 49 min	10 000	1 h 55 min
北川	4.64	11 500	2 h	9 900	2 h 5 min
通口电站	24.40	11 300	2 h 30 min	9 800	2 h 51 min
将军石水文站	36.10	11 100	2 h 55 min	9 700	3 h 22 min
永兴场	40.30	11 000	3 h 11 min	9 600	3 h 41 min
青莲场附近	46.51	10 300	3 h 51 min	9 400	4 h 27 min
通口河河口	50.20	10 000	4 h 14 min	300	4 h 50 min
涪江桥	68.88	8 200	6 h 5 min	7 900	6 h 42 min

Fig.8 Calculated and measured water levels in front of the dam and dam-breaking discharge processes [22]

Fig.9 Calculated and measured dam-breaking flood processes at Tongkou station downstream of the barrier lake[23]

Fig.10 Dam breaking discharge process when dam crest elevation is set 2 958 m

Fig.11 Replay of flood process of “11·3” Baige barrier lake breach in Jinsha River

Fig.12 Flood peak flow at each station downstream of the “11·3” Baige barrier lake breach in Jinsha River

Fig.13 Flood process at stations downstream of the “11·3” Baige barrier lake breach in Jinsha River

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