The effects induced by a new embankment at the confluence between two rivers: TELEMAC results compared with a physical model

With the aim of evaluating the hydraulic risks connected with the construct ion of a new embankment at the confluence of the Magra River and the Bagnon e Torrent, an experimental analysis was conducted using an undistorted 1 : 55 scale physical model. A parallel study using the software TELEMAC-2D app lied to the same domain as the physical model and with the same boundary co nditions was also carried out. The use of a numerical model enabled compari son of the results obtained from the physical model and a test of the relia bility of the numerical model itself in terms of accuracy, stability and in stability. In;order to estimate the effects induced by the construction of a new embankment, two sets of experiments were carried out; in the first se t bed and bank topography before construction were modelled, and in the sec ond set the actual situation with the embankment was considered. Comparison of data obtained from numerical simulations with measurements from the phy sical model showed a good agreement from a qualitative point of view. Howev er, some differences were noticed in terms of local values, particularly in the bed morphology evolution where estimation of bed level variations are strongly dependent on the local sediment transport dynamics. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.