title: Experimental research on the dam-break mechanisms of the Jiadanwan landslide dam triggered by the Wenchuan earthquake in China.
abstract: Dam breaks of landslide dams are always accompanied by large numbers of casualties, a large loss of property, and negative influences on the downstream ecology and environment. This study uses the Jiadanwan landslide dam, created by the Wenchuan earthquake, as a case study example. Several laboratory experiments are carried out to analyse the dam-break mechanism of the landslide dam. The different factors that impact the dam-break process include upstream flow, the boulder effect, dam size, and channel discharge. The development of the discharge channel and the failure of the landslide dam are monitored by digital video and still cameras. Experimental results show that the upstream inflow and the dam size are the main factors that impact the dam-break process. An excavated discharge channel, especially a trapezoidal discharge channel, has a positive effect on reducing peak flow. The depth of the discharge channel also has a significant impact on the dam-break process. The experimental results are significant for landslide dam management and flood disaster prevention and mitigation.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, China.
authors.forename: Fu-gang
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Xing-guo
authors.initials: XG
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Jia-wen
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Ming-hui
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Hao
mesh_terms: D002681:China; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003252:Construction Materials; D055866:Earthquakes; D055876:Landslides; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012212:Rheology / Q000379:methods*; D045483:Rivers; D014881:Water Supply