2024 – Benchmarking the Use of Physical Models for Breach Estimation

Hench Wang

This paper addresses the critical importance of dam breach modelling for enhancing dam safety, emergency preparedness, and protecting downstream communities and environments. While empirical equations have traditionally been used in Australia for breach parameter estimation, they exhibit significant limitations due to data dependency, simplification of complex processes, and limited scope of application. This paper benchmarks several physical breach models, including EMBREA, WinDAM C, and DLBreach, using a case study of a 40-meter-high earthen embankment dam. The benchmarking exercise evaluates the practicality, defensibility, and robustness of these models, highlighting their potential to provide more accurate and reliable breach simulations compared to empirical methods. The findings underscore the need for further research and the adoption of physical breach models to improve dam breach assessments in Australia.