Experimental study of flood propagation resulting from dam break by means of a distorted physical model

A distorted physical model was built in the open area of the Hydraulics Laboratory of Dokuz Eylül University in order to investigate experimentally the flood propagation due to the trapezoidal breach in dam body. Water levels, velocities and wave propagation were measured. Filtration of the velocities was performed and the results were interpreted. Water levels have been measured by water level sensors which have been placed at specified places in the model. Velocities have been measured by ultrasonic velocity profilers located near the water level meters. Propagation of flood wave has been also recorded by high precision camera. Measured data were compared and interpreted. The experimental findings were converted to the prototype values and so obtained values are evaluated and commented.