Dispersive and Nonhydrostatic Pressure Effects at the Front of Surge

Undular bores and shocks generated by dam-break flows or tsunamis are examined considering nonhydrostatic pressure and dispersive effects in oneand two-horizontal-dimensional space. The fully nonlinear Boussinesq-type equations based on a weakly nonhydrostatic pressure assumption are chosen as the governing equations. The equation set is solved by a fourth-order accurate finite-volume method with an approximate Riemann solver. Several typical benchmark problems such as dam-break flows and tsunami wave fission are tested in oneand two-horizontal-dimensional space. The computed results by the Boussinesq-type model are at least as accurate as the results by the hydrostatic shallow water equations. This is particularly evident near the steep front of the wave, where frequency dispersion can play an important role. The magnitude of this nonhydrostatic pressure and dispersive effect near the front is quantified, and the engineering implications of neglecting these physics, as would be done through the use of a hydrostatic model, are discussed. DOI: 10.1061/ (ASCE)HY.1943-7900.0000345. © 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers. CE Database subject headings: Tsunamis; Hydrostatic pressure; Dam failures; Storm surges. Author keywords: Undular bore; Dam-break flow; Tsunami; Nonhydrostatic pressure; Dispersion; Boussinesq-type equations; Finitevolume method.