DAM BREAK-A Review

Abstract

The Dams are essential structures compiling numerous advantages for the development and sustenance of society, on the contrary breaking of dam can prove to be fatal in the same proportion. The study of dam breach and modelling of dam break scenario thus becomes very important for mapping of floods and preparation of emergency action plans. Failure of a dam differs from one type of dam to other. Dam failure may be broadly classified as instantaneous and gradual. The masonry or rigid concrete dams fail instantly due to failure of monolith on the other hand the earthen dam fail gradually by erosion due to overtopping over crest and piping failure beneath the dam structure. With the advancement in computational techniques various types of software are now available which enables simulation of dam break scenarios and help in preparation of inundation maps. This paper reviews the study of dam break scenario and important types of dam breach parameters. Various guidelines regarding dam breach parameters have been compiled and the capabilities of different types of software available for simulation of dam break scenarios have also been discussed