Model for Predicting Floods due to Earthen Dam Breaching. II: Comparison with Other Methods and Predictive Use

Abstract

A sensitivity analysis of the model presented in the companion paper is made and, on the basis of the results a criterion is proposed for the choice of values to assign to the side slopes of the breach, in order to use the model for prediction. Moreover, the sensitivity analysis shows that the outflow hydrograph and its peak value depend not only on the dam height and the stored volume, but also on the vertical distribution of the water mass in the reservoir. The model is compared with some previously published methods and the disadvantages, limitations, and errors that can be made using parametric models and predictive equations are pointed out. Finally, easy to use equations interpolating the numerical results of the model are provided that predict not only the peak discharge but the whole outflow hydrograph for overtopping failures.