Modelling of fluvial dike breaching due to overtopping
PhD candidate : Vincent Schmitz
Supervisor : B.Dewals
Modelling of fluvial dike breaching due to overtopping
Katrina’s flooding in New Orleans: The 17th Street Canal, one of about 50 levee/floodwall breaches in 2005. (https://thelensnola.org/2015/07/20/katrina-fact-check-guesstimate-of-katrinas-flooding-in-new-orleans-was-correct/)
Fluvial dikes are structures built along rivers to protect communities and infrastructure from flooding. However, failure of these dikes can have devastating human, economic and environmental consequences worldwide. Recently, the risk associated with such events has been rising significantly due to urban intensification and the surge of extreme weather events. My thesis focuses on developing efficient numerical tools for accurately modelling the dike breach process. These tools are validated against data from laboratory experiments to ensure their reliability. This work aims to improve understanding of the impacts of potential dike breaches and to support public authorities in implementing more effective emergency response plans.
