Embankment Dam Erosion and Breach Project

Physical hydraulic model tests of embankment dam breach processes are reviewed, beginning with testing conducted near the end of the 19th century and progressing through more recent work on fuse plug embankments, homogeneous cohesive and noncohesive embankments, rockfill dams, and zoned embankments. The majority of the testing has been focused on erosion and breach initiated by overtopping flow, although recent studies have begun to consider piping. Most testing has been conducted at relatively small scales, but again, recent work is now utilizing larger scales (embankment heights of 2 m or more). More than 325 individual embankment tests are identified, with the vast majority taking place as part of about ten large testing programs. A handful of these extensive test programs include tests at large scales, with detailed documentation including measured material properties and erodibility evaluations. These tests can potentially serve as case studies for validation and verification testing of future numerical models. The complete progression from initiation of erosion to development, enlargement, and completion of a dam breach encompasses multiple physical processes and is affected by many variables. Testing that is designed to isolate distinct aspects of the complete process is discussed. The work with the most potential for future impact is that which relates breach behavior to both hydraulic processes and material properties.