Dam-break induced sediment movement: Experimental approaches and numerical modelling

The present paper aims to present the issues and the scope of work conducted under the framework of the European Research Project IMPACT, in the field of dam-break induced geomorphic flows, at the Universite Catholique de Louvain, Belgium. Two characteristic behaviours are described: the near- and far-field responses to the dam-break wave. This paper gives an overview of the experimental work carried out in the frame of the research programme: flat- and stepped-bed cases for the near-field, bank erosion experiment for the far-field. New developments in modelling are summarized as well for the near-field and for the far-field. The validation by comparison with experimental results highlights that a two-layer model is very efficient in modelling near-field features, while an appropriate modelling of bank failure and sediment re-distribution in the cross section is the key of far-field simulation. Some practical conclusions are given for the future of dam-break wave modelling in terms of needs for additional research.