Numerical simulation of discontinuous waves propagating over a dry bed

A numerical algorithm is proposed for simulating the propagation of discontinuous waves over a dry bed governed by the shallow water equations in the first approximation. The algorithm is based on a modified conservation law of total momentum that takes into account the concentrated momentum loss associated with the formation of local eddy structures within the framework of the long-wave approximation. The modified conservation law involves a heuristic parameter that is chosen so as to agree with laboratory experiments. Numerical results are presented for the formation, propagation, and transformation of a discontinuous wave arising in a complete or partial (in the planned case) collapse of a dam over a bed with a horizontal or sloping bottom or a bottom with a local obstacle in the tailwater area.