scholarly journals Impact of a Random Sequence of Debris Flows on Torrential Fan Formation

Geosciences ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nejc Bezak ◽  
Jošt Sodnik ◽  
Matjaž Mikoš
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Rheological Properties ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Random Sequence ◽  
Rheological Parameters ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Maximum Height ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact

Debris flows with different magnitudes can have a large impact on debris fan characteristics such as height or slope. Moreover, knowledge about the impact of random sequences of debris flows of different magnitudes on debris fan properties is sparse in the literature and can be improved using numerical simulations of debris fan formation. Therefore, in this paper we present the results of numerical simulations wherein we investigated the impact of a random sequence of debris flows on torrential fan formation, where the total volume of transported debris was kept constant, but different rheological properties were used. Overall, 62 debris flow events with different magnitudes from 100 m3 to 20,000 m3 were selected, and the total volume was approximately 225,000 m3. The sequence of these debris flows was randomly generated, and selected debris fan characteristics after the 62 events were compared. For modeling purposes, we applied the Rapid Mass Movement Simulations (RAMMS) software and its debris flow module (RAMMS-DF). The modeling was carried out using (a) real fan topography from an alpine environment (i.e., an actual debris fan in north-west (NW) Slovenia formed by the Suhelj torrent) and (b) an artificial surface with a constant slope. Several RAMMS model parameters were tested. The simulation results confirm that the random sequence of debris flow events has only some minor effects on the fan formation (e.g., slope, maximum height), even when changing debris flow rheological properties in a wide range. After the 62 events, independent of the selected sequence of debris flows, the final fan characteristics were not significantly different from each other. Mann–Whitney (MW) tests and t-tests were used for this purpose, and the selected significance level was 0.05. Moreover, this conclusion applies for artificial and real terrain and for a wide range of tested RAMMS model rheological parameters. Further testing of the RAMMS-DF model in real situations is proposed in order to better understand its applicability and limitations under real conditions for debris flow hazard assessment or the planning of mitigation measures.

Simplified simulation of rock avalanches and subsequent debris flows with a single thin-layer model. Application to the Prêcheur river (Martinique, Lesser Antilles)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Peruzzetto ◽  
Clara Levy ◽  
Yannick Thiery ◽  
Gilles Grandjean ◽  
Anne Mangeney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Thin Layer ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Rock Avalanche ◽  
Numerical Code ◽  
Lesser Antilles ◽  
Rheological Parameters ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
High Discharge

<p>This work focuses on the use of thin-layer models for simulating fast gravitational flows for hazard assessment. Such simulations are sometimes difficult to carry out because of the uncertainty on initial conditions and on simulation parameters. In this study, we aggregate various field data to constrain realistic initial conditions and to calibrate the model parameters. By using the SHALTOP numerical code, we choose a simple and empirical rheology to model the flow (no more than two parameters), but we model more finely the geometrical interactions between the flow and the topography. We can thus model both a rock avalanche, and the subsequent remobilization of the deposits as a high discharge debris flow.</p><p>Using the Prêcheur river catchment (Martinique, Lesser Antilles) as a case study, we focus on extreme events with a high potential to impact populations and infrastructures. We use geological and geomorphological data, topographic surveys, seismic recordings and granulometric analysis to define realistic simulation scenarios and determine the main characteristics of documented events. The latter are then reproduced to calibrate rheological parameters. With a single rheological parameter and the Coulomb rheology, we thus model the emplacement and main dynamic characteristics of a recent rock avalanche, as well as the travel duration and flooded area of a documented high discharge debris flow. Then, in a forward prediction simulation, we model a possible 1.9x10<sup>6 </sup>m<sup>3</sup> rock avalanche, and the instantaneous remobilization of the resulting deposits as a high-discharge debris flow. We show that successive collapses allow to better reproduce the dynamics of the rock avalanche, but do not change the geometry of the final deposits, and thus do not influence the initial conditions of the subsequent debris flow simulation. A progressive remobilization of the materials slows down the debris flow and limits overflow, in comparison to instantaneous release. However, we show that high discharge debris flows, such as the one considered for model calibration, are better reproduced with an instantaneous initiation. The range of travel times measured for other significant debris flows in the Pr\^echeur river is consistent with our simulation results, with various rheological parameters and the Coulomb or Voellmy rheology.</p>

scholarly journals Sensitivity and identifiability of rheological parameters in debris flow modeling

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (7) ◽  
pp. 1919-1930
Author(s):  
Gerardo Zegers ◽  
Pablo A. Mendoza ◽  
Alex Garces ◽  
Santiago Montserrat
Keyword(s):  
Sensitivity Analysis ◽  
Debris Flow ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Maximum Flow ◽  
Rheological Parameters ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Maximum Height ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Relevant Variables ◽  
Distributed Evaluation

Abstract. Over the past decades, several numerical models have been developed to understand, simulate and predict debris flow events. Typically, these models simplify the complex interactions between water and solids using a single-phase approach and different rheological models to represent flow resistance. In this study, we perform a sensitivity analysis on the parameters of a debris flow numerical model (FLO-2D) for a suite of relevant variables (i.e., maximum flood area, maximum flow velocity, maximum height and deposit volume). Our aims are to (i) examine the degree of model overparameterization and (ii) assess the effectiveness of observational constraints to improve parameter identifiability. We use the Distributed Evaluation of Local Sensitivity Analysis (DELSA) method, which is a hybrid local–global technique. Specifically, we analyze two creeks in northern Chile (∼29∘ S, 70∘ W) that were affected by debris flows on 25 March 2015. Our results show that SD (surface detention) and β1 (a parameter related to viscosity) provide the largest sensitivities. Further, our results demonstrate that equifinality is present in FLO-2D and that the final deposited volume and maximum flood area contain considerable information to identify model parameters.

scholarly journals The Impact of Initial Conditions in N-Body Simulations of Debris Discs

2015 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Thilliez ◽  
S. T. Maddison
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Parent Body ◽  
Dust Trapping ◽  
Physical Context ◽  
Disc Width ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Belt Width ◽  
New Generation ◽  
The Impact

AbstractNumerical simulations are a crucial tool to understand the relationship between debris discs and planetary companions. As debris disc observations are now reaching unprecedented levels of precision over a wide range of wavelengths, an appropriate level of accuracy and consistency is required in numerical simulations to confidently interpret this new generation of observations. However, simulations throughout the literature have been conducted with various initial conditions often with little or no justification. In this paper, we aim to study the dependence on the initial conditions of N-body simulations modelling the interaction between a massive and eccentric planet on an exterior debris disc. To achieve this, we first classify three broad approaches used in the literature and provide some physical context for when each category should be used. We then run a series of N-body simulations, that include radiation forces acting on small grains, with varying initial conditions across the three categories. We test the influence of the initial parent body belt width, eccentricity, and alignment with the planet on the resulting debris disc structure and compare the final peak emission location, disc width and offset of synthetic disc images produced with a radiative transfer code. We also track the evolution of the forced eccentricity of the dust grains induced by the planet, as well as resonance dust trapping. We find that an initially broad parent body belt always results in a broader debris disc than an initially narrow parent body belt. While simulations with a parent body belt with low initial eccentricity (e ~ 0) and high initial eccentricity (0 < e < 0.3) resulted in similar broad discs, we find that purely secular forced initial conditions, where the initial disc eccentricity is set to the forced value and the disc is aligned with the planet, always result in a narrower disc. We conclude that broad debris discs can be modelled by using either a dynamically cold or dynamically warm parent belt, while in contrast eccentric narrow debris rings are reproduced using a secularly forced parent body belt.

scholarly journals Influence of biopolymers on the rheological properties of seafloor sediments and the runout behavior of submarine debris flows

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Kameda ◽  
Hamada Yohei
Keyword(s):  
Rheological Properties ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Extracellular Polymeric Substances ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Mass Movement ◽  
Rheological Parameters ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Natural Systems ◽  
Chemical Conditions ◽  
Seafloor Sediments

AbstractSubmarine debris flows are mass movement processes on the seafloor, and are geohazards for seafloor infrastructure such as pipelines, communication cables, and submarine structures. Understanding the generation and run-out behavior of submarine debris flows is thus critical for assessing the risk of such geohazards. The rheological properties of seafloor sediments are governed by factors including sediment composition, grain size, water content, and physico-chemical conditions. In addition, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) generated by microorganisms can affect rheological properties in natural systems. Here we show that a small quantity of EPS (~ 0.1 wt%) can potentially increase slope stability and decrease the mobility of submarine debris flows by increasing the internal cohesion of seafloor sediment. Our experiments demonstrated that the flow behavior of sediment suspensions mixed with an analogue material of EPS (xanthan gum) can be described by a Herschel–Bulkley model, with the rheological parameters being modified progressively, but not monotonously, with increasing EPS content. Numerical modeling of debris flows demonstrated that the run-out distance markedly decreases if even 0.1 wt% of EPS is added. The addition of EPS can also enhance the resistivity of sediment to fluidization triggered by cyclic loading, by means of formation of an EPS network that binds sediment particles. These findings suggest that the presence of EPS in natural environments reduces the likelihood of submarine geohazards.

scholarly journals Numerical Simulation of Non-Homogeneous Viscous Debris-Flows Based on the Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) Method

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 2314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shu Wang ◽  
Anping Shu ◽  
Matteo Rubinato ◽  
Mengyao Wang ◽  
Jiping Qin
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Sph Method ◽  
Particle Hydrodynamics ◽  
Sph Model ◽  
Smoothed Particle ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Kinetic And Potential Energies

Non-homogeneous viscous debris flows are characterized by high density, impact force and destructiveness, and the complexity of the materials they are made of. This has always made these flows challenging to simulate numerically, and to reproduce experimentally debris flow processes. In this study, the formation-movement process of non-homogeneous debris flow under three different soil configurations was simulated numerically by modifying the formulation of collision, friction, and yield stresses for the existing Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) method. The results obtained by applying this modification to the SPH model clearly demonstrated that the configuration where fine and coarse particles are fully mixed, with no specific layering, produces more fluctuations and instability of the debris flow. The kinetic and potential energies of the fluctuating particles calculated for each scenario have been shown to be affected by the water content by focusing on small local areas. Therefore, this study provides a better understanding and new insights regarding intermittent debris flows, and explains the impact of the water content on their formation and movement processes.

Study of the physical, chemical and rheological properties of oil mixtures transported through the Uzen - Atyrau - Samara pipeline

2021 ◽  
pp. 420-427
Author(s):  
Берик Картанбаевич Саяхов ◽  
Александр Геннадьевич Дидух ◽  
Гульнара Амангельдиевна Габсаттарова ◽  
Марат Давлетович Насибулин ◽  
Жасулан Канатович Наурузбеков
Keyword(s):  
Rheological Properties ◽  
Pour Point ◽  
Heating Temperature ◽  
High Viscosity ◽  
Rheological Parameters ◽  
Polarization Microscopy ◽  
Oil Pipeline ◽  
Physical Chemical ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Oil Mixtures

На начальных участках магистрального нефтепровода Узень - Атырау - Самара формируются партии низкозастывающих бузачинских и высокозастывающих мангышлакских нефтей. По маршруту транспортировки осуществляются дополнительные подкачки нефтей с различными физико-химическими и реологическими характеристиками, что может оказывать существенное влияние на свойства перекачиваемых нефтесмесей. Цель настоящей работы - исследование физико-химических и реологических свойств бузачинской и мангышлакской нефтесмесей на маршруте поставки Узень - Атырау, а также диапазона и причин изменений характеристик бузачинской нефти (основной в компонентном составе нефтесмесей, перекачиваемых по нефтепроводу Узень - Атырау - Самара). По результатам исследований установлено, что свойства мангышлакской нефтесмеси изменяются в незначительных пределах. Для бузачинской нефтесмеси свойственна нестабильность реологических параметров, которые могут изменяться в широком диапазоне в результате путевой подкачки на различных участках нефтепровода. Колебания реологических параметров наиболее показательных проб партий бузачинской нефтесмеси рекомендуется учитывать для решения задач повышения текучести высоковязких нефтей и оптимизации технологических режимов работы трубопроводов, по которым осуществляется перекачка таких нефтей. Методами газохроматографического анализа молекулярно-массового распределения тугоплавких парафинов и поляризационной микроскопии определена температура нагрева бузачинской и мангышлакской нефтесмесей, оптимальная для ввода депрессорной присадки. At the initial sections of the Uzen - Atyrau - Samara main oil pipeline, batches of low pour point Buzachinsky and high pour point Mangyshlak oils are formed. Additional pumping of oils with different physical, chemical and rheological characteristics is carried out along the transportation route, which can have a significant effect on the properties of the pumped oil mixtures. The purpose of this study is to examine the physical, chemical and rheological properties of Buzachi and Mangyshlak oil mixtures on the Uzen - Atyrau supply route, as well as the range and causes of changes in the characteristics of Buzachinsky oil (the main oil mixture in the blend composition pumped through the Uzen - Atyrau - Samara pipeline). According to the research results, it was found that the properties of the Mangyshlak oil mixture vary within insignificant limits. The Buzachinsky oil mixture is characterized by instability of rheological parameters, which can vary in a wide range as a result of route pumping at different pipeline sections. Fluctuations of the rheological parameters of the most indicative samples of batches of the Buzachinsky oil mixture are recommended to be taken into account in order to increase the fluidity of high-viscosity oils and optimize the process modes of operation of pipelines through which such oils are pumped. Using the methods of gas chromatographic analysis of the molecular weight distribution of high-melting-point paraffins, as well as polarization microscopy, the optimal heating temperature for the introduction of a pour point depressant into the Buzachinsky and Mangyshlak oil mixtures has been determined.

The Effects of Upstream Flexible Barrier on the Debris Flow Entrainment and Impact Dynamics on a Terminal Barrier

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hervé Vicari ◽  
C.W.W. Ng ◽  
Steinar Nordal ◽  
Vikas Thakur ◽  
W.A. Roanga K. De Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Impact Force ◽  
Dynamic Pressure ◽  
Pressure Coefficient ◽  
Flexible Barrier ◽  
Impact Forces ◽  
Flexible Barriers ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Bed Entrainment

The destructive nature of debris flows is mainly caused by flow bulking from entrainment of an erodible channel bed. To arrest these flows, multiple flexible barriers are commonly installed along the predicted flow path. Despite the importance of an erodible bed, its effects are generally ignored when designing barriers. In this study, three unique experiments were carried out in a 28 m-long flume to investigate the impact of a debris flow on both single and dual flexible barriers installed in a channel with a 6 m-long erodible soil bed. Initial debris volumes of 2.5 m<sup>3</sup> and 6 m<sup>3</sup> were modelled. For the test setting adopted, a small upstream flexible barrier before the erodible bed separates the flow into several surges via overflow. The smaller surges reduce bed entrainment by 70% and impact force on the terminal barrier by 94% compared to the case without an upstream flexible barrier. However, debris overflowing the deformed flexible upstream barrier induces a centrifugal force that results in a dynamic pressure coefficient that is up to 2.2 times higher than those recommended in guidelines. This suggests that although compact upstream flexible barriers can be effective for controlling bed entrainment, they should be carefully designed to withstand higher impact forces.

scholarly journals Experimental Study of the Debris Flow Slurry Impact and Distribution

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haixin Zhao ◽  
Lingkan Yao ◽  
Yong You ◽  
Baoliang Wang ◽  
Cong Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Impact Force ◽  
Influence Factors ◽  
Flume Experiment ◽  
Middle Point ◽  
Laboratory Flume ◽  
Critical Issues ◽  
Maximum Impact Force ◽  
The Impact

In this study, we present a new method to calculate debris flow slurry impact and its distribution, which are critical issues for designing countermeasures against debris flows. There is no unified formula at present, and we usually design preventive engineering according to the uniform distribution of the maximum impact force. For conducting a laboratory flume experiment, we arrange sensors at different positions on a dam and analyze the differences on debris flow slurry impact against various densities, channel slopes, and dam front angles. Results show that the force of debris flow on the dam distributes unevenly, and that the impact force is large in the middle and decreases gradually to the both sides. We systematically analyze the influence factors for the calculation of the maximum impact force in the middle point and give the quantitative law of decay from the middle to the sides. We propose a method to calculate the distribution of the debris flow impact force on the whole section and provide a case to illustrate this method.

Uncertainty in debris flow rainfall thresholds

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matteo Berti ◽  
Alessandro Simoni
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Measurement Errors ◽  
Critical Conditions ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Average Intensity ◽  
Rainfall Thresholds ◽  
Sources Of Uncertainty ◽  
Time Space ◽  
Physically Based

&lt;p&gt;Rainfall is the most significant factor for debris flows triggering. Water is needed to saturate the soil, initiate the sediment motion (regardless of the mobilization mechanism) and transform the solid debris into a fluid mass that can move rapidly downslope. This water is commonly provided by rainfall or rainfall and snowmelt. Consequently, most warning systems rely on the use of rainfall thresholds to predict debris flow occurrence. Debris flows thresholds are usually empirically-derived from the rainfall records that caused past debris flows in a certain area, using a combination of selected precipitation measurements (such as event rainfall P, duration D, or average intensity I) that describe critical rainfall conditions. Recent years have also seen a growing interest in the use of coupled hydrological and slope stability models to derive physically-based thresholds for shallow landslide initiation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In both cases, rainfall thresholds are affected by significant uncertainty. Sources of uncertainty include: measurement errors; spatial variability of the rainfall field; incomplete or uncertain debris flow inventory; subjective definition of the &amp;#8220;rainfall event&amp;#8221;; use of subjective criteria to define the critical conditions; uncertainty in model parameters (for physically-based approaches). Rainfall measurement is widely recognized as a main source of uncertainty due to the extreme time-space variability that characterize intense rainfall events in mountain areas. However, significant errors can also arise by inaccurate information reported in landslide inventories on the timing of debris flows, or by the criterion used to define triggering intensities.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This study analyzes the common sources of uncertainty associated to rainfall thresholds for debris flow occurrence and discusses different methods to quantify them. First, we give an overview of the various approaches used in the literature to measure the uncertainty caused by random errors or procedural defects. These approaches are then applied to debris flows using real data collected in the Dolomites (Northen Alps, Itay), in order to estimate the variabilty of each single factor (precipitation, triggering timing, triggering intensity..). Individual uncertainties are then combined to obtain the overall uncertain of the rainfall threshold, which can be calculated using the classical method of &amp;#8220;summation in quadrature&amp;#8221; or a more effective approach based on Monte Carlo simulations. The uncertainty budget allows to identify the biggest contributors to the final variability and it is also useful to understand if this variability can be reduced to make our thresholds more precise.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals Debris Flow Damage Assessment by Considering Debris Flow Direction and Direction Angle of Structure in South Korea

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong Nam ◽  
Man-Il Kim ◽  
Dong Kang ◽  
Byung Kim
Keyword(s):  
South Korea ◽  
Debris Flow ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Impact Force ◽  
Mountainous Areas ◽  
Mountainous Regions ◽  
Impact Forces ◽  
The Impact

Recently, human and property damages have often occurred due to various reasons—such as landslides, debris flow, and other sediment-related disasters—which are also caused by regional torrential rain resulting from climate change and reckless development of mountainous areas. Debris flows mainly occur in mountainous areas near urban living communities and often cause direct damages. In general, debris flows containing soil, rock fragments, and driftwood temporarily travel down to lower parts along with a mountain torrent. However, debris flows are also often reported to stream down from the point where a slope failure or a landslide occurs in a mountain directly to its lower parts. The impact of those debris flows is one of the main factors that cause serious damage to structures. To mitigate such damage of debris flows, a quantitative assessment of the impact force is thus required. Moreover, technologies to evaluate disaster prevention facilities and structures at disaster-prone regions are needed. This study developed two models to quantitatively analyze the damages caused by debris flows on structures: Type-1 model for calculating the impact force, which reflected the flow characteristics of debris flows and the Type-2 model, which calculated the impact force based on the topographical characteristics of mountainous regions. Using RAMMS a debris flow runoff model, the impact forces assessed through Type-1 and Type-2 models were compared to check reliability. Using the assessed impact forces, the damage ratio of the structures was calculated and the amount of damage caused by debris flows on the structures was ultimately assessed. The results showed that the Type-1 model overestimated the impact force by 10% and the Type-2 model by 4% for Mt. Umyeon in Seoul, compared to the RAMMS model. In addition, the Type-1 model overestimated the impact force by 3% and Type-2 by 2% for Mt. Majeok in Chuncheon, South Korea.

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