Breaching Processes: A state of the art review

This report provides an overview of the state of the art with regards to embankment breach initiation and formation processes. Basic breach formation processes are explained, including a review of commonly held misconceptions. The different stages of breach initiation and formation are also explained, along with the varying needs of different end users, and hence the significance of the different stages of breach and the importance of understanding uncertainty within the different stages of breach prediction. Different types of breach model, from simple empirical formulae through to complex, predictive physically based models. Current capabilities and research initiatives related to each are summarised, identifying current best practice and current data sets available for model validation. Perceived gaps and priorities for future development supporting the improved reliability of breach prediction are then summarised.