Dam-break generated flow from an infinite reservoir into a positively inclined channel of limited width

•Dam-break flow from infinite reservoir into inclined channel of limited width.•Numerical simulations using LES verified with results from physical experiments.•Hydrodynamics of dam-break flow controlled by large volume of water in reservoir.•Bed shear stress results highlight potential for sediment suspension in channel.

To investigate the feasibility of suspending sediments in storm-drains in coastal cities using tidal energy, numerical and physical experiments are carried out to understand the behaviour of a dam-break generated flow from an infinite reservoir (the sea) into a positively inclined channel of limited width (the storm-drain). The numerical results are obtained using LES as these yield the most accurate predictions of the results from the physical experiments. The hydrodynamics of the flow inside the channel are controlled by the large volume of water in the reservoir and cross waves are generated in the channel due to its limited width. On relatively steep slopes, the bed shear stress results indicate that sediment suspension is likely to occur under the leading edge of the flow while on mild slopes suspension of sediments may occur over a great distance into the channel and for a long duration after the initial dam-break.