Simulating malpasset (France) dam-break case study by a two-dimensional shallow flow model

Abstract

    The paper is dedicated to researching a numerical model for dam-break simulation, which is verified through a comparison between calculated results and observed data of two reference tests. The numerical model is applied to simulate the flooding wave for the Malpasset dam-break event, which occurred in southern France in 1959. This event is a unique opportunity for code validation due to the availability of extensive field data on the flooding wave. In this research, Finite Volume Method (FVM) is applied to solve Two-Dimensional Shallow Water Equations (2D SWE) on structured mesh. Also, flux difference splitting method is utilized to construct numerical solvers of SWE.