Spatial Breach Analysis due to Overtopping Flow Depending on the Degree of Compaction for Noncohesive Embankments.

This study aimed to an experiment to analyze the spatial levee breach mechanisms due to overtopping according to the degree of compaction. A levee experiment was performed using four different degree of compaction implemented by adjusting the levee compaction thickness and number of compactions, and the effects of the degree of compaction on levee breaching were observed. Under the low degree of compaction, the scale of the levee breach over time was relatively large, and the breach discharge was also significant. This study also observed the change in velocity of the levee crest area through Large Scale Particle Image Velocimetry (LSPIV) analysis of the velocity field at each levee breach stage; in particular, the location where the maximum velocity occurred in the crest area differed according to the degree of compaction. The relationship between the degree of compaction and peak breach discharge shown in experimental results suggests the degree of compaction can directly affect the breach of the levee and the flooding velocity at the low-land area. The clear correlations between the degree of compaction and breach discharge and breach size over time presented in this study can provide detailed information for the design standards and maintenance of the levee. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]