Numerical simulation and experimental verification of Dam-Break flows withshocks

New experimental results of ID Dam-Break flows with shocks and results foun d in the literature are compared with those obtained by means of a numerica l model based on the well-known McCormack shock-capturing scheme. In implem enting the numerical scheme care has been taken to treat the source terms o f the equations so that they are compatible with the resolution of shocks i ntroducing artificial dissipation terms or Total Variation Diminishing (TVD ) corrections. To verify the numerical model under severe test conditions, laboratory expe riments have been carried out in which shock formation, reverse flow and we tting and drying conditions in the flow field were induced. The good agreem ent between experimental and computed results confirms the validity of the numerical model even in limit conditions that could occur in nature, for wh ich the St. Venant hypotheses are not completely verified.