Project Number: 6217-13000-008-28
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 01, 2007
End Date: Jun 30, 2010

Objective:
The objective of this cooperative research project is to develop software tools for predicting performance and erosion of earthen dams due to overtopping. Focus will be on; 1) development of a research software tool to evaluate erosion algorithms for earthen dams, and 2) integration of the research software tool into WinDAMb. The software will be developed with the ability to easily integrate other, more advanced models in the future. In particular, the future plans are to incorporate internal erosion and non-homogenous breach models in the future. The product will be in the form of an engineering tool suitable for use by researchers and professionals involved in design, rehabilitation, and/or assessment of earthen embankment dams.

Approach:
ARS, and KSU will work together to develop and modify research software tool based on ARS research and to integrate research findings into a tool for the profession. This will be accomplished by completing work related to the research tool, SIMplified Breach Analysis (SIMBA) and identifying changes needed in the existing WinDAMa User Interface to incorporate technology from SIMBA. The required changes will be documented in a Design Document to be shared among collaborators. Changes will be required in both user input and the resulting text and graphical output screens. In particular, inputs required by the breach models will be incorporated into the user interface. Additional output will be generated for (a) Hydrographs ¿ Overtop and Breach Discharge, (b) Maximum Overtopping Head, (c) Reservoir Water Surface, (d) Dam and Auxiliary Crests, and (e) Overtopping Stress. Additional input and output will be incorporated as needed. In addition, output graphs from SIMBA will be included with the exception of Attack. As field testing continues on internal erosion, future work will include integrating models for internal erosion into the homogenous breach models as well. ARS and KSU with the aid of the NRCS will evaluate needs of profession for purposes of developing an appropriate tool for engineers involved in design, rehabilitation, and/or assessment of dams and other hydraulic structures.