IIT Dam Analysis Why it is completely subjective

Objective
Show what inputs are needed for Dam break analysis and why the analysis is completely subjective

Some terms for understanding

Breach Breaking of dam / embankment Piping failure Failure of dam by Erosion of the structure - erosion will be faster as the breach grows due to hydraulic flow. It is the most common method of dam failure. The other dam failure method is toppling. HEC RAS Software developed by US Army corps and used by IIT for Dam break analysis

Step by Step
1. Download HEC RAS software (Freeware) which was used by IIT for dam break analysis from here: http://www.hec.usace.army.mil/software/hec-ras/ 2. Install the examples folder when prompted. Create a new project or open an existing project (Eg: Bald Eagle Creek) 3. If you are creating new project click Enter geometric data icon , add River reach and to represent the dam add Inline structure (screen shots in next slide)

1. Click to add River, Name it (Eg Periyar)

2. Click to add Dam and enter Various parameters. Best option is to check existing example

3. Click Breach Plan data to see inputs

Arbitrary inputs
This is the time of breach in hours from start of breach to finish. Reducing this will show faster breach and breaking of dam

Piping Coefficient is arbitrary so by Changing this, results can be changed drastically

Arbitrary inputs
Entering higher value for bottom width of breach at it s max size will show bigger piping failure

Instead of Water surface elevation (WS Elev) Specific time or date can be selected leading to an arbitrary dam break time Even the Starting Water surface elevation can be reduced to show faster breach!

 As we saw in the previous screen shots, pretty much all important data are arbitrary and requires lot of experimentations before it can be used for uniquely constructed Mullaperiyar dam. It is important to note that HEC RAS has been successfully used only in earthen dam and weirs breaching simulations. Simulations with other material structures are questionable.

Signs of arbitrariness
Report of half the Dam breaking in 12 minutes is a sure sign that all or some of the arbitrary input parameters are wrong. Surkhi has a density of 2473 kg/cu.m- close to cement mortar s density; how can piping failure occur so fast ? No modeling or experiments has been carried out to ascertain surkhi piping failure so neither full formation time nor piping coefficient will be correct.

Hydro-metreo map of Kerala (5b)

The Probable Maximum flood (calculated in another report by IIT) data used for modeling breach does not conform to hydro-meteorology sub zone map of India.

Conclusion
While the final dam analysis report is not public, it is prudent to consider the fact that the hypothetical dam break analysis is fraught with experimental and arbitrary inputs. This does not confirm to scientific reporting norms.