3-D RANS-VOF modelling of dam-breach hydraulics over an erodible sediment bed
Issakhov A. Abylkassymova A.
April 2026Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
Modeling Earth Systems and Environment
2026#12Issue 2
Natural dams are the result of the actions of natural forces: landslides, mudflows, avalanches, collapses, earthquakes. The behavior of natural dams in the process of destruction is highly unpredictable and endangers the lives of citizens and urban infrastructure. For this reason, it is important to assess the stability and strength of the formed structure immediately after its formation. However, the complex terrain and various geomorphological conditions in the area of potential disaster often make it difficult to conduct such field experiments. In the present study, a numerical method was proposed for simulating the failure of a natural earth dam, which was previously tested for reliability and accuracy. The proposed mathematical model is developed using the VOF method to simulate three-phase flow in combination of Newtonian, non-Newtonian model for air, liquid and sediment. To approximate reality process for the sedimentary phase was described using a non-Newtonian model. After verification, the model was used for an in-depth study of the destruction process of a natural earth-type dam. The results demonstrate the erosion behavior of the earth dam corresponding to the hydrological and morphological conditions, so by the end of 21.1 s the loss is more than 35%. The continuation of this process leads to a general decrease in the height of the dam, which accordingly leads to the formation of a new terrain downstream. The developed prognostic model made it possible to accurately reproduce the process of destruction of an earth dam. This study provides a vital basis for evaluating the stability of mud dams and can be used for timely emergency response to prevent failure of hydraulic structures.
Breaching process of natural dams , Earth-type dam , Erodible sediment bed , Flood zones , Mud admixture , Non-Newtonian fluid
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Kazakh British Technical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Kazakh American University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Kazakh British Technical University
Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
Kazakh American University
10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель
Книга Публикация научной статьи Волощук 2026 Book Publication of a scientific article 2026