New Empirical Model for Breaching of Earth-Rock Dams

Discussion of “New Empirical Model for Breaching of Earth-Rock Dams” by Qiming Zhong, Shengshui Chen, Zhongzhi Fu, and Yibo Shan

“…Overall, in the original paper, Zhong et al (2020) have combined seven databases in order to obtain a worldwide database allowing them to deduce new empirical equations adapted for embankment dam failures. Thus, even if the authors mentioned that "the advantage of this new model is that the formulas have been developed based on a larger database of dam breach cases and the choice of the input parameters.…”

“…2 Data quality and reliability validation Zhong et al (2020) used a database recording mostly Chinese dam failures. Indeed, a total of 84 case studies from China are recorded from the 162 data recorded (i.e.…”

“…52% of the compilation). After reviewing the 162 dam failures recorded by Zhong et al (2020) it has been possible to highlight that 8 references listed are not properly cited (i.e. see case studies "id" in the original database of Zhong et al (2020) : 97, 100, 104,105, 112, 138, 139 and 140) and various cases have nor been properly recorded (e.g.…”

“…Indeed, the major concern is the apparent absence of any auditing of data quality in the new dataset. In fact, notice that based on Zhong et al (2020)…”

“…

In this discussion, the authors will point out that even if Zhong et al (2020) tackle an important problem, by ensuring the quality and credibility of the data recorded in the database presented and by providing the description of the used method to obtain their non-linear equations it certainly can improve their original study. Therefore, this discussion highlights the limitations and shortcoming to the study presented by Zhong et al (2020) original paper.

…”