Two-dimensional dam break flow simulation

Numerical modelling of shallow water flow in two dimensions is presented in this work with the results obtained in dam break tests. Free surface flow in channels can be described mathematically by the shallow-water system of equations. These equations have been discretized using an approach based on unstructured Delaunay triangles and applied to the simulation of two-dimen sional dam break flows. A cell centred finite volume method based on Roe's approximate Riemann solver across the edges of the cells is presented and t he results are compared for first- and second-order accuracy. Special treat ment of the friction term has been adopted and will be described. The schem e is capable of handling complex flow domains as shown in the simulation co rresponding to the test cases proposed, i.e. that of a dam break wave propa gating into a 45 degrees bend channel (UCL) and in a channel with a constri ction (LNEC-IST). Comparisons of experimental and numerical results are sho wn. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.