The importance of using two-dimensional flexible meshes to simulate dam-break flooding over complex terrain Conference

Garcia, R, Gonzalez, N. (2013). The importance of using two-dimensional flexible meshes to simulate dam-break flooding over complex terrain . 2 1471-1484.

cited authors

  • Garcia, R; Gonzalez, N

authors

abstract

  • One-dimensional (1D) models have traditionally been used to simulate dambreak floods in areas of relatively flat floodplains or where the flow is unconfined, even though in these situations they may not provide adequate solutions due to assumption of uniform water velocity and constant water surface elevation on each cross section. More recently, two-dimensional (2D) models have been increasingly used to provide spatial variable velocities and water surface elevations, which may capture a wider range of flow dynamics and geometries. However, 2D models based on girds of square elements or with an inadequately generated mesh cannot flexibly adapt to complex terrains and could miss key terrain features that determine the flood extent. Twodimensional models, based on flexible meshes formed with variable-size triangles, can be refined as needed to ensure that these topographic features are correctly accounted for. In this paper, we compare two dam-break flood simulations with different mesh schemes. In the first simulation, we use a uniform element size to mimic a typical uniform cell models; in the second we use the RiverFLO-2D flexible mesh model adapting the mesh to key terrain features. Results show that using a variable resolution mesh allows capturing essential topographic characteristics, and can provide much more accurate flood simulations than using equivalent uniform size grid models, which can prove critical for emergency preparedness plans and flood hazard studies. © (2013) by Association of State Dam Safety Officials All rights reserved.

publication date

  • December 1, 2013

International Standard Book Number (ISBN) 13

start page

  • 1471

end page

  • 1484

volume

  • 2