Abstract:
Numerical simulation models are powerful tools for dam and downstream
valley risk assessment and management, including the evaluation of the impact of floods
due to dam failure events and the valley emergency planning. Several codes are
available for numerical simulations of floods caused by dam failures: the most well
known being 1D models. This last type of models can lead to possible errors namely in
the cases where there are important cross-section changes (like enlargements or
narrowings) in the propagation river stretch or whenever the flow occupies a floodplain.
In these cases a 2D model is required. The 2D BIPLAN model was developed for
the simulation of dam-break flood waves in valleys with irregular topography whenever
the 1D approach loose validity. This paper concerns the use of the 2D BIPLAN model
and of the well-known 1D DAMBRK model for the simulation of the dam-break flood
propagation in a real valley: the Arade River localized in the South of Portugal. The
accuracy of both models is presented through a comparative analysis of their results
with experimental data obtained in the physical model of Arade River valley. Firstly, the
main characteristics of the numerical models are presented and the case study is
described. Next the paper briefly describes the physical model of the case study,
constructed in order to validate dam-break flood propagation models along river valleys
of irregular topography. Finally, the paper also presents the results of 2D BIPLAN and
1D DAMBRK models and the comparative analysis of their results, also involving
experimental data.
