Understanding Debris Flow Characteristics Using Flume Experiments

2017 ◽  
pp. 357-361
Author(s):  
Sangjun Im ◽  
Song Eu ◽  
Dongyeob Kim
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Flume Experiments

scholarly journals The effect of debris-flow sediment grain size distribution on fan forming processes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haruka Tsunetaka ◽  
Norifumi Hotta ◽  
Yuichi Sakai ◽  
Thad Wasklewicz
Keyword(s):  
Grain Size ◽  
Debris Flow ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Grain Size Distribution ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Granular Flows ◽  
Spatial Diversity ◽  
Flume Experiments ◽  
Sediment Grain Size ◽  
Average Grain Size

Abstract. Knowledge of the processes driving debris-flow fan evolution are critical in the support of efforts to mitigate related hazards, reduce risk to populations and infrastructure, and reconstruct the history of sediment dynamics in mountainous areas. Research on debris-flow fan development has focused on topographic controls, debris-flow volume and rheology, and the sequence of occurrence of debris flows. While these items have explained a great deal about fan formation and specifically avulsion and runout mechanisms, there is a need to further investigate other properties as they relate to debris-flow fan formative process. Here, we examined the role of debris-flow grain-size distribution on fan formation. Flume experiments were employed to examine the morphology of debris-flow fans that resulted from flows with mono- or multi-granular sediment composition with the same average grain size. All other flow characteristics were held constant. The mono-granular flows formed a symmetric-like fan morphology because there was little avulsion during the formation process. The multi-granular flows produced fans with an asymmetric morphology. Avulsions occurred on both lateral extents of the fan during the early stages of fan development and caused the runout direction to shift produce the fan asymmetry. Grain-size distribution was closely related to spatial diversity in fan morphology and stratigraphy.

scholarly journals Debris Flow Characteristics in Flume Experiments Considering Berm Installation

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 2336
Author(s):  
Hyungjoon Chang ◽  
Kukhyun Ryou ◽  
Hojin Lee
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Flow Velocity ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Mobility Ratio ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Volumetric Concentration ◽  
Flume Experiments ◽  
Flume Tests ◽  
Number Flow ◽  
Channel Slope

This study was conducted to identify the characteristics and mobility of debris flows and analyze the performance of a berm as a debris flow mitigation measure. The debris flow velocity, flow depth, Froude number, flow resistance coefficients, and mobility ratio were accordingly determined using the results of flume tests. To analyze the influence of the berm, the results for a straight channel test without a berm were compared with those for a single-berm channel test. The debris flow velocity was observed to increase with increasing channel slope and decreasing volumetric concentration of sediment, whereas the mobility ratio was observed to increase with increasing channel slope and volumetric concentration of sediment. In addition, it was confirmed that the installation of a berm significantly decreased the debris flow velocity and mobility ratio. This indicates that a berm is an effective method for reducing damage to areas downstream of a debris flow by decreasing its potential mobility. By identifying the effects of berms on debris flow characteristics according to the channel slope and volumetric concentration of sediment, this study supports the development of berms to serve as debris flow damage mitigation measures.

Debris flow impact on a flexible barrier: laboratory flume experiments and force-based mechanical model validation

2021 ◽  
Vol 106 (1) ◽  
pp. 735-756
Author(s):  
R. Brighenti ◽  
L. Spaggiari ◽  
A. Segalini ◽  
R. Savi ◽  
G. Capparelli
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Model Validation ◽  
Mechanical Model ◽  
Flume Experiments ◽  
Flexible Barrier ◽  
Laboratory Flume

scholarly journals The Development of a 1-D Integrated Hydro-Mechanical Model Based on Flume Tests to Unravel Different Hydrological Triggering Processes of Debris Flows

Water ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 950 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theo van Asch ◽  
Bin Yu ◽  
Wei Hu
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Mechanical Model ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Overland Flow ◽  
Slope Angle ◽  
Great Influence ◽  
Flume Experiments ◽  
Triggering Mechanisms ◽  
Bed Material ◽  
Triggering Process

Many studies which try to analyze conditions for debris flow development ignore the type of initiation. Therefore, this paper deals with the following questions: What type of hydro-mechanical triggering mechanisms for debris flows can we distinguish in upstream channels of debris flow prone gullies? Which are the main parameters controlling the type and temporal sequence of these triggering processes, and what is their influence on the meteorological thresholds for debris flow initiation? A series of laboratory experiments were carried out in a flume 8 m long and with a width of 0.3 m to detect the conditions for different types of triggering mechanisms. The flume experiments show a sequence of hydrological processes triggering debris flows, namely erosion and transport by intensive overland flow and by infiltrating water causing failure of channel bed material. On the basis of these experiments, an integrated hydro-mechanical model was developed, which describes Hortonian and saturation overland flow, maximum sediment transport, through flow and failure of bed material. The model was calibrated and validated using process indicator values measured during the experiments in the flume. Virtual model simulations carried out in a schematic hypothetical source area of a catchment show that slope angle and hydraulic conductivity of the bed material determine the type and sequence of these triggering processes. It was also clearly demonstrated that the type of hydrological triggering process and the influencing geometrical and hydro-mechanical parameters may have a great influence on rainfall intensity-duration threshold curves for the start of debris flows.

scholarly journals A theoretical model for the initiation of debris flow in unconsolidated soil under hydrodynamic conditions

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
pp. 4487-4524 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.-X. Guo ◽  
J.-W. Zhou ◽  
P. Cui ◽  
M.-H. Hao ◽  
F.-G. Xu
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Model ◽  
Debris Flow ◽  
Surface Runoff ◽  
Slope Failure ◽  
Fine Particles ◽  
Field Investigation ◽  
Hydrodynamic Theory ◽  
Mechanism Analysis ◽  
Flume Experiments ◽  
Initiation Mechanism

Abstract. Debris flow is one of the catastrophic disasters in an earthquake-stricken area, and remains to be studied in depth. It is imperative to obtain an initiation mechanism and model of the debris flow, especially from unconsolidated soil. With flume experiments and field investigation on the Wenjiagou Gully debris flow induced from unconsolidated soil, it can be found that surface runoff can support the shear force along the slope and lead to soil strength decreasing, with fine particles migrating and forming a local relatively impermeable face. The surface runoff effect is the primary factor for accelerating the unconsolidated slope failure and initiating debris flow. Thus, a new theoretical model for the initiation of debris flow in unconsolidated soil was established by incorporating hydrodynamic theory and soil mechanics. This model was validated by a laboratory test and proved to be better suited for unconsolidated soil failure analysis. In addition, the mechanism analysis and the established model can provide a new direction and deeper understanding of debris flow initiation with unconsolidated soil.

Flume investigation of cylindrical baffles for dissipation of debris flow energy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chan-Young Yune ◽  
Beom-Jun Kim
Keyword(s):  
Energy Dissipation ◽  
Debris Flow ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Digital Camera ◽  
Major Effect ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Design Guideline ◽  
Flow Energy

<p>A debris flow with a high speed along valleys has been reported to cause serious damages to urban area or infrastructure. To prevent debris flow disaster, countermeasures for flow-impeding structures are installed on the flow path of debris flows. Recently, an installation of cylindrical baffles which are open-type countermeasures has increased because of a low construction cost, filtering out rocks, and an increased hydraulic continuity. However, a comprehensive design guideline for specification and arrangement on cylindrical baffles has not yet been suggested. Moreover, the design of baffle installation is mainly based on empirical approaches as the influence of baffle array on debris mobility is not well understood. In this study, to investigate the effect of cylindrical baffles on the flow characteristics of debris flow, a series of small-scale flume tests were performed according to the varying baffle height and row numbers of installed baffles. High-speed cameras and digital camera to record the flow interaction with baffles were installed at the top and side of the channel. To reproduce the viscosity of debris flows caused by fine-grained soil in the flume, glycerin was mixed with debris materials (sand and gravel). After the test, the velocity and energy dissipation according to various baffle arrays were estimated. Test results showed that the installation of baffles reduced the frontal velocity of debris flows. Furthermore, taller baffles also increased the effect of the energy dissipation in debris flows, but additional rows of the baffle did not have a major effect on the energy dissipation. Thus, increasing the height of baffle led to an increased efficiency of energy dissipation of debris flows.</p>

Effect of the Fish-Bone Dam Angle on the Flow Mechanisms of a Fish-Bone Type Dividing Dike

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 58-67
Author(s):  
Jia Ni ◽  
Linwei Wang ◽  
Xixian Chen ◽  
Luan Luan Xue ◽  
Isam Shahrour
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Longitudinal Velocity ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Fish Bone ◽  
Flume Experiments ◽  
Lateral Velocity ◽  
Engineering Structures ◽  
Flow Mechanisms ◽  
River Training ◽  
Large Velocity Gradient

AbstractFish-bone type dividing dikes are river engineering structures used for river training and to protect a mid-channel bar from scour. The flow characteristics around fish-bone type dividing dikes are very complicated, especially near its fish-bone dam. To understand the flow and scour processes associated with fish-bone dams, this paper conducts a numerical simulation of flow characteristics for different fish-bone dam angles. Based on the Yudaizhou fish-bone type dividing dike of the Dongliu Waterway, a 3-D numerical model is established via Flow-3D to simulate the flow characteristics around a fish-bone type dividing dike, which is verified by flume experiments. Based on the results, the effects of different fish-bone dam angles on water level and velocity distribution are investigated. With increasing fish-bone dam angle, the longitudinal and lateral gradients of the water level gradually decreased, and the variation degree of the longitudinal velocity also decreased; however, the variation degree of the lateral velocity increased. Vortex areas formed around the fish-bone dam and the downstream zone of the dike. A large velocity gradient was found around the dike, and the downstream vortex area decreased with increasing fish-bone dam angle.

scholarly journals Relationship between the accumulation of sediment storage and debris-flow characteristics in a debris-flow initiation zone, Ohya landslide body, Japan

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (11) ◽  
pp. 1923-1938 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fumitoshi Imaizumi ◽  
Yuichi S. Hayakawa ◽  
Norifumi Hotta ◽  
Haruka Tsunetaka ◽  
Okihiro Ohsaka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Sediment Supply ◽  
Physical Analysis ◽  
Saturated Flow ◽  
Initiation Zone ◽  
Landslide Body ◽  
Steep Terrain

Abstract. Debris flows usually occur in steep mountain channels and can be extremely hazardous as a result of their destructive power, long travel distance, and high velocity. However, their characteristics in the initiation zones, which could possibly be affected by temporal changes in the accumulation conditions of the storage (i.e., channel gradient and volume of storage) associated with sediment supply from hillslopes and the evacuation of sediment by debris flows, are poorly understood. Thus, we studied the relationship between the flow characteristics and the accumulation conditions of the storage in an initiation zone of debris flow at the Ohya landslide body in Japan using a variety of methods, including a physical analysis, a periodical terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) survey, and field monitoring. Our study clarified that both partly and fully saturated debris flows are important hydrogeomorphic processes in the initiation zones of debris flow because of the steep terrain. The predominant type of flow varied temporally and was affected by the volume of storage and rainfall patterns. Fully saturated flow dominated when the total volume of storage was  <  10 000 m3, while partly saturated flow dominated when the total volume of the storage was  >  15 000 m3. Debris flows form channel topography which reflects the predominant flow types during debris-flow events. Partly saturated debris flow tended to form steeper channel sections (22.2–37.3°), while fully saturated debris flow tended to form gentler channel sections ( <  22.2°). Such relationship between the flow type and the channel gradient could be explained by a simple analysis of the static force at the bottom of the sediment mass.

Variation of uplift pressure of debris flow on the dam bottom

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xingzhang Chen ◽  
Hui Chen
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Time Lag ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
Flow Density ◽  
Flume Experiments ◽  
Fine Content ◽  
Dam Foundation ◽  
Uplift Pressure ◽  
Average Value ◽  
The Stability

&lt;p&gt;Abstract: Uplift pressure is crucial for the stability of debris flow dam because of its reducing the effective pressure on the dam foundation and the anti-slide force of the dam. This study investigates the spatial and temporal variations of the uplift pressures during the debris flow impact processes, through a series of flume experiments. Before the debris flow impacting on the dam, the uplift pressure keeps stable due to the steady water level, and then it decreases slightly at the instant of debris flow impacting on the dam which lasts for no more than 1 s, and then increases sharply within a time lag no more than 2 s, and then decreases sharply soon afterwards. The maximal increasing ratio is 6.4 and the average value is 3, comparing with the uplift pressure before the impacting. The peak pressure occurs before the dam and decreases with the distance from the dam with a nearly linear tendency. The increment of uplift pressure also presents a similar tendency with the distance from the dam. In addition, the uplift pressure is found to be strongly influenced by the permeability of debris flow deposits, especially by the fine content of grain composition, and by the properties of the flow, such as the flow density, runoff volume and hydraulic gradient, and the pressure rises in a nearly linear form with the properties.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Keywords: debris flow, uplift pressure, check dam, flume experiments&lt;/p&gt;

The Effects of Particle Segregation on Debris Flow Fluidity Over a Rigid Bed

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-149
Author(s):  
Norifumi Hotta ◽  
Tomoyuki Iwata ◽  
Takuro Suzuki ◽  
Yuichi Sakai
Keyword(s):  
Shear Stress ◽  
Debris Flow ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Particle Diameter ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Video Camera ◽  
Front Velocity ◽  
Flow Depth ◽  
Particle Segregation

ABSTRACT It is essential to consider the fluidity of a debris flow front when calculating its impact. Here we flume-tested mono-granular and bi-granular debris flows and compared the results to those of numerical simulations. We used sand particles with diameters of 0.29 and 0.14 cm at two mixing ratios of 1:1 and 3:7. Particle segregation was recorded with a high-speed video camera. We evaluated the fronts of debris flows at 0.5-second intervals. Then we numerically simulated one-dimensional debris flows under the same conditions and used the mean particle diameter when simulating mixed-diameter flows. For the mono-granular debris flows, the experimental and simulated results showed good agreement in terms of flow depth, front velocity, and flux. However, for the bi-granular debris flows, the simulated flow depth was less, and both the front velocity and flux were greater than those found experimentally. These differences may be attributable to the fact that the dominant shear stress was caused by the concentration of smaller sediment particles in the lower flow layers; such inverse gradations were detected in the debris flow bodies. Under these conditions, most shear stress is supported by smaller particles in the lower layers; the debris flow characteristics become similar to those of mono-granular flows, in contrast to the numerical simulation, which incorporated particle segregation with gradually decreasing mean diameter from the front to the flow body. Consequently, the calculated front velocities were underestimated; particle segregation at the front of the bi-granular debris flows did not affect fluidity either initially or over time.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document