ABSTRACT
This paper deals with the development of a physically based numerical model to simulate the growth of a breach in an earth or earth and rockfill embankment due to overtopping at the crest. The problem is of vital interest for dam safety studies, the development of early warning systems and emergency evacuation procedures. The goal is to be able to predict the outflow hydrograph from a breach knowing the reservoir inflows, initial overtopping height and material properties constituting the dike including any pertinent construction details such as degree of compaction, soil constituents, water content, plasticity etc.
