Numerical Simulation of Earth Dam Erosion due to Overtopping Using a One-dimensional Model

The increasing frequency of extreme weather events, driven by climate change, poses significant challenges to hydraulic structures such as earth dams.These structures are increasingly exposed to sudden inflows of large water volumes, which can exceed their discharge capacities.When overtopping occurs, the resulting erosion of the earth dam can lead to catastrophic releases of retained water, endangering downstream areas.In Poland, two such disasters have taken place in recent years: in 2010 in Niedw and in 2024 in Stronie lskie.These events emphasize the critical need for advanced computational tools to model erosion processes and enhance the safety of areas located downstream.This study presents the application of a one-dimensional numerical model based on the physics of erosion phenomena.The simulation results were validated through experimental studies conducted at Wrocaw University of Science and Technology, where physical models of earth embankment erosion were tested.The comparative analysis demonstrates the robustness of numerical approaches in a predicting erosion dynamics.The findings underscore the vital role of integrating numerical simulations and laboratory experiments to improve the predictive capabilities of dam safety assessments in the context of a changing climate.