Author(s): Ezzat Elalfy; Matthew J. Czapiga; Enrica Viparelli; M. Hanif Chaudhry

Linked Author(s): Mohammad Hanif Chaudhry, Enrica Viparelli

Keywords: Biopolymer treated dams; Breach development; Depth-averaged model; Overtopping; Untreated dams

Abstract: Research shows that biopolymers can reduce soil erodibility. However, it is yet unknown if biopolymer-sediment mixtures can affect the breach evolution in earthen embankments due to overtopping. A numerical model is presented to simulate breaching of untreated and biopolymer treated sand dams. Modeling of breach evolution in untreated dams is conducted using the two-dimensional form of the depth-averaged flow equations along with sediment-mass conservation equation with a slumping failure module. The slumping failure module calculates the lateral sediment load due to slope failure of breach sides, so the model can capture breach deepening and widening. On the contrary, modelling of breach evolution of biopolymer treated dams is carried out using the one-dimensional form of the equations to capture the deepening of the breach channel since no widening was observed. The different modeling approach for both types of dams was validated by laboratory experiments on breaching of untreated and biopolymer-treated dams. By comparing the numerical and experimental results, the model was able to capture the time variation of breach maximum depth and top width in case of untreated dams, and in case of biopolymer treated dams the model was able to capture the crest of the first upstream migration erosional step.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.64697/HIC2024_P331

Year: 2024