Development of an Earthen Dam Break Data Base
Karoline Hood Bryce D. Wilkins
Dr. Theodore V. Hromadka II, AS-0020 STUDENT ARTICLE Introduction:
A frequently used approach in the assessment of earthen dam-break out- comes is to use regression equations that are developed from data collected following various dam-break events. Several regression equations have been reported in the literature, and the result- ing equations are not necessarily devel- oped from the same dam-break data sets. Furthermore, data corresponding to a dam-break not already part of the data base may not fit well within the selected regression equation. Because dam-breaks and the ensuing floodplain inundation are a significant influence on many other water resources related factors, such as landslides, sediment transport, flooding, and mud flood propa- gation, providing another tool to aid in the assessment of the applicability of a
particular dam-break regression equa- tion may be a valuable contribution towards better understanding the con- nectivity between the various related water resources factors.
Objective of the Project:
Our project is an ongoing assembly of earthen dam break event measure- ments into a comprehensive data base of 146 earthen dam failure events with relevant measurements related to the regression equations of the in-situ situ- ation. These measurements consists of over 23 different parameters as seen in Figures 2 and 3. In addition, a web based application is under construction that provides two-dimensional “slices” of the multi-dimensional data base, in
order to visualize 2-dimensions of the selected parameters in the data base. For instance, a graph of dam height can be measured against the peak outflow.
Description of the Project:
Figure 1. Illustration of the data base
Because the data base is intended to evolve over time, some of the data point entries do not have values and conse- quently those particular events will not appear in the respective marginal distribution scatter plots. The various marginal distributions can be used to examine the positioning of test case data against the measured data contained in the data base. Such a visualization may be useful to indicate the relevance of the data base with respect to the test case under examination, and therefore indicate the possible applicability of the published corresponding regression equations. Sources of the earthen dam break data include reports from the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation Dam Safety Office, articles published in the Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental (©ASCE) and Journal of Hydraulic Engineering (©ASCE), and reports submitted to the National Dam Safety Review Board. The data collected is as recent as 1996. Contributors to the data base include Dr. Tony Wahl, Dr. Steven Abt, and Dr. Limin Zhang who are foundational in the literature in the development of earthen dam break assessment methodology and data compilations. The data base will be downloadable from the web page.
COL Howard D. (Doug) McInvale. LTC Randy Boucher
Figure 2. Assembled embankment dimensions and hydraulic characteristics used in the data base
www.aipg.org
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