Research Field and Subjects
One of the probable consequences of global climate change is the worsening of hydrological extremes, especially flood events. Most of the protective structures (dams and dykes) will undergo threats probably greater than expected at the time of their design.
Dams and levees are indeed constructed throughout the world for water supply, irrigation, navigation, flood protection, electrical power, and water-based recreation. These hydraulic structures are of great benefit to society; however, inundation caused by dam failure and levee breach has disastrous consequences. The failure of a large dam has the potential to cause more death and destruction than the failure of any other manmade structure. Large flood waves resulting from these failures commonly cause loss of life, human suffering, and destruction of properties and ecosystems for hundreds of miles in the inundated valley. Depending on the terrain, flood waves can cause extensive scour and erosion, and large-scale movement of sediment and debris. The potential failure of tailing dams can cause significant damage to the environment through rapid dispersion of hazardous materials and contaminants, including heavy metals.
Failure of such structures and the consequences of these failures must be considered in a context of sustainable development. This is achieved through leading research in the fields of:
- physical and digital modelling of flood waves due to dam- or dyke-break and consecutive inundations, including the consequences of sediment transport and morphological evolution.
- study and design of preventing and protecting works against inundation: storage reservoir, flood plains, etc.
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Contacts: Sandra SOARES-FRAZAO, Yves ZECH