Numerical Simulation of Sediment Transport Following a Dam Break

For the computation of the morphological changes on reservoir beds, in scale model experiments, a hydrodynamic model is combined with the sediment continuity equation. The hydrodynamic model is based upon the equations of mass and momentum conservation. The sediment transport capacity appearing in the sediment continuity equation is calculated by using the relationship proposed by Smart. For the solution of the above system of three partial differential equations, the explicit numerical schemes of Lax and Wendroff and MacCormack are tested. The whole mathematical model is applied to the experimental case of sediment release from a reservoir after a dam break.