Development of an empirical model for predicting peak breach flow of landslide dams considering material composition

The existing empirical models do not consider the influence of material composition of landslide deposits on the peak breach flow due to the uncertainty in the material composition and the randomness of its distribution. In this study, based on the statistical analyses and case comparison, the factors influencing the peak breach flow were comprehensively investigated. The highlight is the material composition-based classification of landslide deposits of 86 landslide cases with detailed grain-size distribution information. In order to consider the geometric morphology of landslide dams and the potential energy of dammed lakes, as well as the material composition of landslide deposits in an empirical model, a multiple regression method was applied on a database, which comprises of 44 documented landslide dam breach cases. A new empirical model for predicting the peak breach flow of landslide dams was developed. Furthermore, for the same 44 documented landslide dam failures, the predicted peak breach flow obtained by using the existing empirical models for embankment and landslide dams and that obtained by using the newly developed model were compared. The comparison of the root mean square error (E_rms) and the multiple coefficient of determination (R²) for each empirical model verifies the accuracy and rationality of the new empirical model. Furthermore, for fair validation, several landslide dam breach cases that occurred in recent years in China and have reliable measured data were also used in another comparison. The results show that the new empirical model can reasonably predict the peak breach flow, and exhibits the best performance among all the existing empirical models for embankment and landslide dam breaching.

     

An evaluation of existent methods for estimation of embankment dam breach parameters

The study of dam-break analysis is considered important to predict the peak discharge during dam failure. This is essential to assess economic, social and environmental impacts downstream and to prepare the emergency response plan. Dam breach parameters such as breach width, breach height and breach formation time are the key variables to estimate the peak discharge during dam break. This study presents the evaluation of existing methods for estimation of dam breach parameters. Since all of these methods adopt regression analysis, uncertainty analysis of these methods becomes necessary to assess their performance. Uncertainty was performed using the data of more than 140 case studies of past recorded failures of dams, collected from different sources in the literature. The accuracy of the existing methods was tested, and the values of mean absolute relative error were found to be ranging from 0.39 to 1.05 for dam breach width estimation and from 0.6 to 0.8 for dam failure time estimation. In this study, artificial neural network (ANN) was recommended as an alternate method for estimation of dam breach parameters. The ANN method is proposed due to its accurate prediction when it was applied to similar other cases in water resources.

     

Predictive uncertainty of peak outflow relations for landslides dam breach

Risk assessment development considering the failure of landslide dams often requires the estimation of peak outflow through the breach. The empirical equations based on data from case studies tend to be the first direct approach. This paper conducted an uncertainty analysis when these empirical relations were utilized to predict the peak outflow of a breached landslide dam. The results suggest that the relations derived from manmade dams or embankments typically overestimate the peak outflow about 1/5 to 3/4 of an order of magnitude; and the relations derived from the database of landslide dams have much smaller mean prediction errors and also exhibit broad uncertainty bands. Application of the uncertainly analysis was illustrated by the Tangjiashan landslide dammed lake, formed during 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. In addition, the predicted results from Eq. 1 deduced herein were considered to be the reliable estimate of peak outflow through the breach of landslide dam.     

Failure of dams arranged in series or in complex

A practical methodology has been developed for predicting flows generated by dam failures or malfunctions in a complex or a series of dams. A twofold approach is followed. First, the waves induced in the downstream reservoirs are computed, as well as hydrodynamic impacts induced on downstream dams and dikes are estimated. Second, the flood wave propagation and the inundation process are simulated in the downstream valley, accounting for possible dam collapse or breaching in cascade. Two complementary flow models are combined: a two-dimensional fully dynamic model and a simplified lumped model. At each stage, the methodology provides guidelines to select the most appropriate model for efficiently computing the induced flows. Both models handle parametric modeling of gradual dam breaching. The procedure also incorporates prediction of breach formation time and final width, as well as sensitivity analysis to compensate for the high uncertainties remaining in the estimation of breach parameters. The applicability of the modeling procedure is demonstrated for a case study involving a 70-m high-gravity concrete dam located upstream of four other dams.     

Numerical simulation of landslide dam breaching due to overtopping

The breach of landslide dam often causes significant disaster in the inundated area; the prediction of breach hydrograph is in high demand for the dam breach risk evaluation. In this study, according to the model tests and Tangjiashan landslide dam breach case, the surface erosion accompanied by intermittent mass failure is known as the key breaching mechanism for landslide dam due to overtopping failure. The downstream slope angle would gradually decrease during the dam-breaching process, whereas a planar wedge failure occurs when the breach slopes at the dam crest and downstream breach channel fail. Based on the breach mechanism, a numerical model for landslide dam breach due to overtopping is developed to simulate the coupling process of water and soil. The model focuses on the breach morphology evolution during the breaching for the sake of the improvement of breach hydrograph prediction. Furthermore, the model can handle one- and two-sided breach, as well as incomplete and base erosion at the vertical direction. The case study of Tangjiashan landslide dam-breaching feedback analysis testifies the rationality of the present model with the relative errors less than 10% for peak discharge, final breach widths, and time to peak. The sensitivity analysis indicates that the final breach depth and soil erodibility affect the breach flow prediction of the landslide dam significantly, whereas the one- or two-sided breach mode is less sensitive.     

Evaluation of the overflow failure scenario and hydrograph of an embankment dam with a concrete upstream slope protection

The standard procedure in Quebec, Canada, for evaluating the failure of an embankment dam, per the Loi sur la sécurité des barrages, specifies a 30-min-long failure scenario with a breach width equal to four times the maximal height of the dam. We demonstrate a new method for evaluating the flood overtopping failure scenario for embankment dams with concrete upstream slope protection, using Toulnustouc dam for example computations. Our new methodology computes safety factors for a range of potential failure mechanisms taking into account geotechnical, hydraulic, and structural factors. We compile the results of our investigations of the various dam failure mechanisms and compare the corresponding dam failure hydrographs to the current hydrograph specified in the standard analysis procedures. Our investigations tend to invalidate the current standard procedures for evaluating the failure of rock-fill dams with concrete upstream faces, by indicating that the current standard procedures underestimate the peak failure discharge and overestimate the time to the peak discharge.     

土石坝溃决模拟及水流计算研究进展

对土石坝溃决模拟技术的最新研究成果进行了总结和评价,在此基础上对该研究领域今后的研究工作提出了若干建议,包括:应研究提出不同坝型溃决可能性分析评价方法;针对不同坝型开展溃坝离心模型试验,揭示在不同致灾因子作用下,土石坝溃决机理和溃口发展过程;开展土石坝初始管涌形成以后发展过程的试验研究,揭示孔流转变为堰流的控制条件;针对溃坝水流的流线曲率较大、溃坝水流大多是非恒定超临界流以及筑坝材料粒径级配范围变化大等特点,开展大型溃坝水工水力学模型试验,揭示不同坝型的溃口流量过程、泥沙输移及下游河道洪水演进规律。     

Modeling uncertainty in stability analysis for design of embankment dams on difficult foundations

A probabilistic 3-D slope stability analysis model (PTDSSAM) is developed to evaluate the stability of embankment dams and their foundations under conditions of staged construction taking into consideration uncertainty, spatial variabilities and correlations of shear strength parameters, as well as the uncertainties in pore water pressure. The model has the following capabilities: (1) conducting undrained shear strength analysis (USA) and effective stress analysis (ESA) slope stability analysis of staged construction, (2) incorporation of field monitored data of pore water pressure, and (3) incorporation of increase of undrained shear strength with depth, effective stress, and pore water pressure dissipation. The PTDSSAM model is incorporated in a computer program that can analyze slopes located in multilayered deposits, considering the total slope width.

The main outputs of the program are the geometric parameters of the most critical sliding surface (i.e., center of rotation/radius of rotation and critical width of failure), mean 2-D safety factor, mean 3-D safety factor, squared coefficient of variation of resisting moment, and the probability of slope failure. The program is applied to a case study, Karameh dam in Jordan. Monitored data of induced pore water pressure in the dam embankment and soft foundation were gathered during dam construction.

The stability of Karameh dam embankment and foundation was evaluated during staged construction using deterministic and probabilistic analysis. Foundation stability was evaluated based on the monitored data of pore water pressure.

The study showed that the mean values of the corrective factors which account for the discrepancies between the in situ and laboratory-measured values of soil properties and for the modeling errors have significant influence on the 2-D safety factor, 3-D safety factor, slope probability of failure, and on the expected failure width.

The degree of spatial correlation associated with shear strength parameters within a soil deposit also influences the probability of slope failure and the expected failure width. This correlation is quantified by scale of fluctuation. It is found that a larger scale of fluctuation gives an increase in the probability of slope failure and a reduction in the critical failure width.     

考虑河床坡度和泄流槽横断面影响的堰塞坝溃决过程试验研究

针对缺乏地形条件和工程处置措施对堰塞坝溃决过程影响研究的现状,采用4种河床坡度(0°、1°、2°、3°)和3种泄流槽横断面型式(三角形、梯形、复合型),开展了堰塞坝溃决的模型试验。通过分析堰塞坝的溃决流量、溃决历时、溃口发展和坝体纵截面演变过程,研究了不同河床坡度和泄流槽横断面对堰塞坝溃决过程的影响规律。试验结果表明:(1)堰塞坝溃决过程可分为3个阶段。阶段Ⅰ:溃口形成阶段,溃决流量较小;阶段Ⅱ:溃口发展阶段,水流下蚀及侧蚀强烈,溃决流量到达峰值;阶段Ⅲ:衰减-平衡阶段,粗化层形成,溃口停止发展。(2)河床坡度增加意味着下游坝坡、坝顶及泄流槽的坡度增加,导致水流侵蚀能力增强,溃口下切迅猛,因此在0°～3°范围内河床坡度越大,峰值流量越大,峰现时间越早,溃决流量过程曲线越趋于“高瘦型”,且残留坝高越小。(3)泄流槽横断面型式不同导致其槽深、槽宽和侧坡坡度不同,进而影响溃口发展和溃决流量。三角形槽的水土作用面积小,溃口下切及展宽速率最高,峰值流量最大,峰现时间最早;梯形槽的槽底高程最高,水土作用面积最大,溃口下切速率最低,峰现时间最晚;而复合槽介于前两者之间。试验成果将为堰塞坝应急抢险和工...     

Breaching parameters of landslide dams

Landslide dams pose enormous risks to the public because of the potentially catastrophic floods generated by breaching of such dams. The need to better understand the threats of landslide dams raises questions about the proper estimation of breaching parameters (breach size, breaching duration, and peak outflow rate) of landslide dams and the feasibility of applying models for estimating the breaching parameters of man-made earthen dams to landslide dams. This paper aims to answer these two questions. In this study, a database of 1,239 landslide dams, including 257 cases formed during the 12 May 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, has been compiled. Based on records of 52 landslide dam cases with breaching information in the database, empirical models for estimating the breaching parameters of landslide dams are developed. A comparison study between landslide dams and man-made earth and rockfill dams is conducted, which shows that the models for man-made earth and rockfill dams are not suitable for estimating the breaching parameters of landslide dams. Two case studies are presented to show the application of the set of empirical models developed in this paper.     

不同初始含水量条件下的堰塞坝溃决机理

在影响堰塞坝溃决的众多因素中,初始含水量影响堰塞坝的溃决机理仍不清楚。通过开展不同初始含水量条件下的水槽试验,详细探究了初始含水量对溃决过程的影响规律。结果表明：不同初始含水量条件下的溃决过程均具有3个典型阶段,分别是牵引侵蚀过程、溯源侵蚀过程和水沙运动再平衡过程;峰值流量随初始含水量的增大而增大,而溃决历时和残留坝体高度随初始含水量的增大而减小;随初始含水量的增大,溯源侵蚀作用逐渐减弱,牵引侵蚀作用增强;随初始含水量的增大,溃口展宽率降低,侵蚀率增大;初始含水量小于7.8%时,平均侵蚀率增长缓慢,大于7.8%后,平均侵蚀率增长迅速,且10.3%初始含水量对应的平均侵蚀率约为7.8%初始含水量的2倍;溃口宽深比在溃决的前两阶段随初始含水量的增大而减小;溃决结束后的宽深比随含水量的增大呈先趋近于1.00、后远离1.00的演变。     

Geologic problems related to dam sites in Jordan and their solutions

The geologic structures associated with several selected dam sites in Jordan and the tectonic effects on dam foundations and reservoir margins are reviewed. Rock defects, especially discontinuities represented by faults and closely spaced, open joints are investigated. Related problems, such as loss of water from the reservoir by seepage and leakage within the dam foundation are evaluated. The regional seismicity is analyzed and a design earthquake is established for each dam site.

Two major embankment dams are investigated, together with two large proposed dams and several small dams.

This paper discusses in some detail the regional setting and site-specific geology, and the occurrence, size and inclination of faults and joints at each dam site. Moreover, the effects of the faults on the operational performance of each dam are described and specific techniques are used or proposed for remediation are outlined.

The study shows that the combination of faults and joint features cause leakage problems at the operational dams in Jordan. Although, preventive measures such as grouting have been implemented, further leakage and/or seepage problems are anticipated and a monitoring system is needed to control and foresee such problems.

Jordan is an earthquake-prone region. Consequently, it is recommended that the design of embankment dams in the vicinity of the Dead Sea-Jordan Valley Rift should include such considerations as dynamic loading and associated hazards, including embankment acceleration zoning, foundation liquefaction risk and rockhead rupture. The magnitude of the design earthquake at each dam site can be estimated following the guidelines of ICOLD (1989), which are based on probabilistic seismic hazard analysis.     

Cellular automata model-based numerical analysis for breaching process of embankment dam

Natural Hazards - It is of great significance to study the process and cause of embankment dam breach in order to ensure the dam safety. In this paper, the overtopping failure mode of embankment...     

Logistic regression model for predicting the failure probability of a landslide dam

Landslides may obstruct river flow and result in landslide dams; they occur in many regions of the world. The formation and disappearance of natural lakes involve a complex earth–surface process. According to the lessons learned from many historical cases, landslide dams usually break down rapidly soon after the formation of the lake. Regarding hazard mitigation, prompt evaluation of the stability of the landslide dam is crucial. Based on a Japanese dataset, this study utilized the logistic regression method and the jack-knife technique to identify the important geomorphic variables, including peak flow (or catchment area), dam height, width and length in sequence, affecting the stability of landslide dams. The resulting high overall prediction power demonstrates the robustness of the proposed logistic regression models. Accordingly, the failure probability of a landslide dam can also be evaluated based on this approach. Ten landslide dams (formed after the 1999 Chi-Chi Earthquake, the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake and 2009 Typhoon Morakot) with complete dam geometry records were adopted as examples of evaluating the failure probability. The stable Tsao-Ling landslide dam, which was induced by the Chi-Chi earthquake, has a failure probability of 27.68% using a model incorporating the catchment area and dam geometry. On the contrary, the Tangjiashan landslide dam, which was artificially breached soon after its formation during the Wenchuan earthquake, has a failure probability as high as 99.54%. Typhoon Morakot induced the Siaolin landslide dam, which was breached within one hour after its formation and has a failure probability of 71.09%. Notably, the failure probability of the earthquake induced cases is reduced if the catchment area in the prediction model is replaced by the peak flow of the dammed stream for these cases. In contrast, the predicted failure probability of the heavy rainfall-induced case increases if the high flow rate of the dammed stream is incorporated into the prediction model. Consequently, it is suggested that the prediction model using the peak flow as causative factor should be used to evaluate the stability of a landslide dam if the peak flow is available. Together with an estimation of the impact of an outburst flood from a landslide-dammed lake, the failure probability of the landslide dam predicted by the proposed logistic regression model could be useful for evaluating the related risk.     

喜马拉雅中段冰湖终碛坝体溃决过程实验研究

终碛坝广泛分布于世界各地的高山和极高山区。为了探究终碛坝的溃决过程,了解溃口的演变特征,文章以嘉龙错终碛坝的原位实验,模拟了终碛湖漫顶溃决过程。通过分析实验结果发现:（1）根据观察,将终碛坝溃决过程划分为坝体下游坡面冲刷、“溯源侵蚀”、出水口下切和溃口拓宽四个阶段。（2）上游湖区崩塌体激发的涌浪会造成溃口内的瞬时流量增加数倍,从而使得在有涌浪和无涌浪的条件下,“溯源侵蚀”过程出现陡坎和斜坡两种下切型。（3）通过分析溃口下切侵蚀过程,发现溃口的下切侵蚀发展过程主要受到坝体孔隙比和细粒含量的影响,并且溃口中点侵蚀率与水流剪应力存在一定的线性关系,符合线性侵蚀模型。通过分析发现,嘉龙错终碛坝的侵蚀系数为0.051,临界启动应力为237.64 Pa。与堰塞坝相比,可侵蚀系数比更小,而临界启动应力更大。     

粘土心墙坝漫顶溃坝过程离心模型试验与数值模拟

利用作者研制成功的溃坝离心模型试验系统,对粘土心墙坝漫顶溃决过程进行了试验研究,结果发现粘土心墙坝与均质坝溃决机理与溃口发展规律明显不同,随着漫坝水流对下游坝壳冲蚀程度的增加,粘土心墙发生剪断破坏,溃口洪水流量迅速增大.基于上述试验结果,提出了一个描述粘土心墙坝漫顶溃坝过程的数学模型,并建议了相应的数值计算方法.该模型...     

滑坡堰塞坝越顶溢流破坏的物理模型实验

滑坡堰塞坝作为结构松散的堆积物,随着上游水位的不断上涨,其稳定性不断降低,并存在突然溃坝的风险。以唐家山滑坡堰塞坝为研究对象,基于相似原理,开展符合坝体颗粒级配的室内水槽物理模型实验,模拟了不同坝后蓄水量、不同水位和不同颗粒物质组成条件下坝体渗流、漫顶破坏的整个过程。监测结果显示：堰塞坝漫顶溃坝主要分为渗流、漫顶、冲刷和溃决4个过程;坝体堆积颗粒级配越差,坝体允许渗流坡降越小;相同材料配比的坝体,上游水位相同时,坝体底部水平位移最大,且漫顶溃坝时溃口尺寸与蓄水量正相关。该研究结果揭示了堰塞坝漫顶破坏规律,可为堰塞坝溃坝防治提供理论参考。     

Deriving landslide dam geometry from remote sensing images for the rapid assessment of critical parameters related to dam-breach hazards

Dam-breaches that cause outburst floods may induce downstream hazards. Because landslide dams can breach soon after they are formed, it is critical to assess the stability quickly to enable prompt action. However, dam geometry, an essential component of hazard evaluation, is not available in most cases. Our research proposes a procedure that utilizes post-landslide orthorectified remote sensing images and the pre-landslide Digital Terrain Model in the Geographic Information System to estimate the geometry of a particular dam. The procedure includes the following three modules: (1) the selection of the reference points on the dam and lake boundaries, (2) the interpolation of the dam-crest elevation, and (3) the estimation of dam-geometry parameters (i.e., the height, length, and width), the catchment area, the volumes of barrier lake and landslides dam. This procedure is demonstrated through a case study of the Namasha Landslide Dam in Taiwan. It was shown the dam-surface elevation estimated from the proposed procedure can approximate the elevation derived from profile leveling after the formation of the landslide dam. Thus, it is feasible to assess the critical parameters required for the landslide dam hazard assessment rapidly once the ortho-photo data are available. The proposed procedure is useful for quick and efficient decision making regarding hazard mitigation.     

Landslide dam failure and flood hydraulics. Part I: experimental investigation

Landslide dam failure can trigger catastrophic flooding in the downstream. However, field observation of such flooding is rarely available, while laboratory experimental studies are sparse. The mechanism of landslide dam failure and the flood has so far remained insufficiently understood. Here, we present an experimental investigation of landslide dam failure and the flood. A total of 28 runs of experiments are carried out in a flume of 80 m × 1.2 m × 0.8 m, with differing inflow discharge, dam composition, dam geometry, and initial breach dimension. An array of twelve automatic water-level probes is deployed to measure the stage hydrographs along the flume, and the video recording of the dam failure processes facilitates an estimation of the widening of initial breach. Under the present experimental conditions with dams composed of homogeneous materials, landslide dam failure is primarily caused by erosion of overtopping flow, and lateral mass collapse is also considerable during the cause of breach widening. Cohesive clay may act to mitigate the seepage through the dam and thus its subsidence and appreciably modulate the dam failure process and the flood. However, the impacts of clay may be readily overwhelmed by a large inflow discharge and initial breach. Gravels in the dam may appreciably depress the rate of the dam failure process and thus modify the flood. The present work provides new experimental data set for testing mathematical models of the flood flow due to landslide dam failure.     

Rock Mass Behavior Under Hydropower Embankment Dams: A Two-Dimensional Numerical Study

Sweden has more than 190 large hydropower dams, of which about 50 are pure embankment dams and over 100 are concrete/embankment dams. This paper presents results from conceptual analyses of the response of typical Swedish rock mass to the construction of a hydropower embankment dam and its first stages of operation. The aim is to identify locations and magnitudes of displacements that are occurring in the rock foundation and grout curtain after construction of the dam, the first filling of its water reservoir, and after one seasonal variation of the water table. Coupled hydro-mechanical analysis was conducted using the two-dimensional distinct element program UDEC. Series of the simulations have been performed and the results show that the first filling of the reservoir and variation of water table induce largest magnitudes of displacement, with the greatest values obtained from the two models with high differential horizontal stresses and smallest spacing of sub-vertical fractures. These results may help identifying the condition of the dam foundation and contribute to the development of proper maintenance measures, which guarantee the safety and functionality of the dam. Additionally, newly developed dams may use these results for the estimation of the possible response of the rock foundation to the construction.