piping failure

[ocampero]

Hi Chris,
I'm modelling the breach of a dam using option 1. When I simulate an overtopping breach (WSL at time of breach in the reservoir = top of dam elevation), the graphical output seems very logical to me. However, when I simulate a piping breach, the WSL goes well above the top of dam elevation (approximately 1.5 metres) before it depletes. The WSL at time of breach is the same I'm using for the overtopping breach (= top of dam elevation). What could be going wrong?

Thanks,
Oswaldo.

[Chris Maeder]

Oswaldo:

Assuming that you have sufficient inflow into the reservoir, it sounds as if the piping failure is not growing as fast as the overtopping failure is. As such, the water surface elevation for the piping failure reservoir model is rising further than the overtopping failure reservoir model.

Or, it could be something else that is wrong with the model.

Sincerely,

Chris E. Maeder, M.S., P.E.
Senior Technical Engineer
chris.maeder@bossintl.com