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 The
IMPACT project addresses the assessment and reduction of risks
from extreme flooding caused by natural events or the failure
of dams and flood defence structures. In Europe, the asset
value of dam and flood defence structures amounts to many
billions of Euro. These structures include, for example, dams,
weirs, sluices, flood embankments, dikes, tailings dams etc.
Whilst such extreme flood events are rare, when they do occur
they can pose a significant threat to human life (e.g. 400
casualties for the Malpasset Dam failure) and immense economic
and environmental damage. To manage and minimise these risks
effectively, it is necessary to be able to identify hazards
and vulnerability in a consistent and reliable manner, to
have good knowledge of structure behaviour in emergency situations,
and to understand the potential consequences of failure in
order to allow effective contingency planning for public safety.
Scientific Objectives and Approach:
 Research
for this project has been structured in order to have the
greatest impact on reducing uncertainty in predicting extreme
flood conditions. Specific objectives are to advance scientific
knowledge and understanding, and develop predictive modelling
tools in four key areas. Firstly, the movement of sediment
(and potentially with pollutants) generated by a failure.
Secondly, the mechanisms for the breaching of embankments
(dams or flood control dykes) and factors determining breach
location. Thirdly, the simulation of catastrophic inundation
of valleys and urban areas and fourthly the use of geophysical
techniques for the rapid integrity assessment of flood defence
embankments. Research will be undertaken through a combination
of fieldwork (controlled testing and analysis of 6m high embankment
failures), laboratory physical modelling and combined desk
study and numerical simulation. A key objective of the IMPACT
project is to advance the understanding of uncertainty associated
with the above processes. This knowledge will be combined
through a single system (case study etc.) to demonstrate the
real magnitude of uncertainty associated with the end data
and implications for its application within industry (i.e.
for asset management, emergency planning etc.).
Expected Impacts:
 The
IMPACT project will lead to improved scientific knowledge
and understanding of extreme and aggressive flood flows following
the catastrophic failure of a water control structure. More
specifically, the work will provide specific scientific knowledge
and understanding relating to breach formation through dams
and flood defence structures, the movement of sediment under
extreme flood conditions and the simulation of flooding in
urban areas. It will improve our understanding of the risks
associated with the potential failure of dams and flood defence
structures and also our understanding of the uncertainty associated
with the prediction of extreme flood conditions and processes.
Through application of this knowledge within industry, this
should ultimately lead to a reduction in the risk of failure
(and hence a reduction in long-term costs) and improved public
safety through emergency planning and community disaster preparedness.
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The Project Team