scholarly journals Experimental study on the rheological behaviour of debris flow

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 2507-2514 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Scotto di Santolo ◽  
A. M. Pellegrino ◽  
A. Evangelista
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Yield Stress ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Soil Mechanics ◽  
Rheological Behaviour ◽  
Simple Relation ◽  
Campania Region ◽  
Failure Behaviour ◽  
Fluid Behaviour

Abstract. A model able to describe all the processes involved in a debris flow can be very complex owing to the sudden changing of the material that turns from solid into liquid state. The two phases of the phenomenon are analysed separately referring to soil mechanics procedures with regard to the trigger phase, and to an equivalent fluid for the post-failure phase. The present paper is devoted to show the experimental results carried out to evaluate the behaviour assumed by a pyroclastic-derived soil during the flow. A traditional fluid tool has been utilized: a standard rotational rheometer equipped with two different geometries. The soils tested belong to deposits that cover the slopes of the Campania region, Italy, often affected by debris flows. The influence of solid concentration Cv and grain size distribution was tested: the soils were destructurated, sieved and mixed with water starting from the in situ porosity. All material mixtures showed a non-Newtonian fluid behaviour with a yield stress τy that increases with a solid volumetric concentration and decreases for an increase of sand fraction. The experimental data were fitted with standard model for fluids. A simple relation between Cv and τy was obtained. The yield stress seems to be a key parameter for describing and predicting the post-failure behaviour of debris flows. These results suggest that in the field a small change in solid fraction, due to rainfall, will cause a slight decrease of the static yield stress, readily inducing a rapid flow which will stop only when the dynamic yield stress is reached, namely on a much smoother slope. This can explain the in situ observed post-failure behaviour of debris flows, which are able to flow over very long distances even on smooth slopes.

scholarly journals Yield Stress Model for Natural Debris Flows in Presence of Fine and Coarse–Grained Sediments

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 1865
Author(s):  
Leonardo Schippa
Keyword(s):  
Yield Stress ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Rheological Behaviour ◽  
Coarse Fraction ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Stress Model ◽  
Coarse Sediment ◽  
Fine Grain ◽  
Sediment Fraction ◽  
Coarse To Fine

When dealing with natural geo–hazards, it is important to understand the influence of sediment sorting on debris flows. The presence of coarse fraction is one of the aspects which affects the rheological behaviour of natural viscous granular fluid mixtures. In this paper, experiments on reconstituted debris flow mixtures with different coarse–to–fine sediment ratios are considered. Such mixtures behave just as non–Newtonian yield stress fluids and their rheological behaviour is largely affected by the presence of coarse fraction. Experimental results demonstrate that yield stress is very sensitive not only to bulk sediment concentration but also to coarse sediment fraction. A novel yield stress model is presented. It accounts for an empirical grading function depending on the coarse–to–fine grain content. The yield stress model performed satisfactorily in comparison with the experiments, showing that it is almost independent of the coarse–to–fine grain fraction in case of dominant coarse sediment content.

scholarly journals Debris-flow susceptibility assessment through cellular automata modeling: an example from 15–16 December 1999 disaster at Cervinara and San Martino Valle Caudina (Campania, southern Italy)

2003 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 457-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Iovine ◽  
S. Di Gregorio ◽  
V. Lupiano
Keyword(s):  
Cellular Automata ◽  
Debris Flow ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Soil Cover ◽  
Southern Italy ◽  
Landslide Risk ◽  
Campania Region ◽  
Optimal Values ◽  
Debris Flow Susceptibility

Abstract. On 15–16 December 1999, heavy rainfall severely stroke Campania region (southern Italy), triggering numerous debris flows on the slopes of the San Martino Valle Caudina-Cervinara area. Soil slips originated within the weathered volcaniclastic mantle of soil cover overlying the carbonate skeleton of the massif. Debris slides turned into fast flowing mixtures of matrix and large blocks, downslope eroding the soil cover and increasing their original volume. At the base of the slopes, debris flows impacted on the urban areas, causing victims and severe destruction (Vittori et al., 2000). Starting from a recent study on landslide risk conditions in Campania, carried out by the Regional Authority (PAI –Hydrogeological setting plan, in press), an evaluation of the debris-flow susceptibility has been performed for selected areas of the above mentioned villages. According to that study, such zones would be in fact characterised by the highest risk levels within the administrative boundaries of the same villages ("HR-zones"). Our susceptibility analysis has been performed by applying SCIDDICA S3–hex – a hexagonal Cellular Automata model (von Neumann, 1966), specifically developed for simulating the spatial evolution of debris flows (Iovine et al., 2002). In order to apply the model to a given study area, detailed topographic data and a map of the erodable soil cover overlying the bedrock of the massif must be provided (as input matrices); moreover, extent and location of landslide source must also be given. Real landslides, selected among those triggered on winter 1999, have first been utilised for calibrating SCIDDICA S3–hex and for defining "optimal" values for parameters. Calibration has been carried out with a GIS tool, by quantitatively comparing simulations with actual cases: optimal values correspond to best simulations. Through geological evaluations, source locations of new phenomena have then been hypothesised within the HR-zones. Initial volume for these new cases has been estimated by considering the actual statistics of the 1999 landslides. Finally, by merging the results of simulations, a deterministic susceptibility zonation of the considered area has been obtained. In this paper, aiming at illustrating the potential for debris-flow hazard analyses of the model SCIDDICA S3–hex, a methodological example of susceptibility zonation of the Vallicelle HR-zone is presented.

A probabilistic model for assessing debris flow propagation at regional scale: a case study in Campania region, Italy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Crescenzo ◽  
Gaetano Pecoraro ◽  
Michele Calvello ◽  
Richard Guthrie
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Erosion And Deposition ◽  
Campania Region ◽  
Source Areas ◽  
Model Input ◽  
Travel Path ◽  
Debris Avalanches ◽  
Modelling Approach

<p>Debris flows and debris avalanches are rapid to extremely rapid landslides that tend to travel considerable distances from their source areas. Interaction between debris flows and elements at risk along their travel path may result in potentially significant destructive consequences. One of the critical challenges to overcome with respect to debris flow risk is, therefore, the credible prediction of their size, travel path, runout distance, and depths of erosion and deposition. To these purposes, at slope or catchment scale, sophisticated physically-based models, appropriately considering several factors and phenomena controlling the slope failure mechanisms, may be used. These models, however, are computationally costly and time consuming, and that significantly hinders their applicability at regional scale. Indeed, at regional scale, debris flows hazard assessment is usually carried out by means of qualitative approaches relying on field surveys, geomorphological knowledge, geometric features, and expert judgement.</p><p>In this study, a quantitative modelling approach based on cellular automata methods, wherein individual cells move across a digital elevation model (DEM) landscape following behavioral rules defined probabilistically, is proposed and tested. The adopted model, called LABS, is able to estimate erosion and deposition soil volumes along a debris flow path by deploying at the source areas autonomous subroutines, called agents, over a 5 m spatial resolution DEM, which provides the basic information to each agent in each time-step. Rules for scour and deposition are based on mass balance considerations and independent probability distributions defined as a function of slope DEM-derived values and a series of model input parameters. The probabilistic rules defined in the model are based on data gathered for debris flows and debris avalanches that mainly occurred in western Canada. This study mainly addresses the applicability and the reliability of this modelling approach to areas in southern Italy, in Campania region, historically affected by debris flows in pyroclastic soils. To this aim, information on inventoried debris flows is used in different study areas to evaluate the effect on the predictions of the model input parameter values, as well as of different native DEM resolutions.</p>

scholarly journals Applications of simulation technique on debris-flow hazard zone delineation: a case study in Hualien County, Taiwan

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 535-545 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. Hsu ◽  
L. B. Chiou ◽  
G. F. Lin ◽  
C. H. Chao ◽  
H. Y. Wen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Yield Stress ◽  
Empirical Model ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Sediment Concentration ◽  
Hazard Zone ◽  
Debris Flow Hazard ◽  
Debris Flow Disaster ◽  
Soil And Water

Abstract. Debris flows pose severe hazards to communities in mountainous areas, often resulting in the loss of life and property. Helping debris-flow-prone communities delineate potential hazard zones provides local authorities with useful information for developing emergency plans and disaster management policies. In 2003, the Soil and Water Conservation Bureau of Taiwan proposed an empirical model to delineate hazard zones for all creeks (1420 in total) with potential of debris flows and utilized the model to help establish a hazard prevention system. However, the model does not fully consider hydrologic and physiographical conditions for a given creek in simulation. The objective of this study is to propose new approaches that can improve hazard zone delineation accuracy and simulate hazard zones in response to different rainfall intensity. In this study, a two-dimensional commercial model FLO-2D, physically based and taking into account the momentum and energy conservation of flow, was used to simulate debris-flow inundated areas. Sensitivity analysis with the model was conducted to determine the main influence parameters which affect debris flow simulation. Results indicate that the roughness coefficient, yield stress and volumetric sediment concentration dominate the computed results. To improve accuracy of the model, the study examined the performance of the rainfall-runoff model of FLO-2D as compared with that of the HSPF (Hydrological Simulation Program Fortran) model, and then the proper values of the significant parameters were evaluated through the calibration process. Results reveal that the HSPF model has a better performance than the FLO-2D model at peak flow and flow recession period, and the volumetric sediment concentration and yield stress can be estimated by the channel slope. The validation of the model for simulating debris-flow hazard zones has been confirmed by a comparison of field evidence from historical debris-flow disaster data. The model can successfully replicate the influence zone of the debris-flow disaster event with an acceptable error and demonstrate a better result than the empirical model adopted by the Soil and Water Conservation Bureau of Taiwan.

scholarly journals Dimensionless Assessment Method of Landslide Dam Formation Caused by Tributary Debris Flow Events

Geofluids ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kun-Ting Chen ◽  
Xiao-Qing Chen ◽  
Gui-Sheng Hu ◽  
Yu-Shu Kuo ◽  
Yan-Rong Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Water Depth ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Landslide Dam ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Main Stream ◽  
Deposition Thickness ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Prepared Response

In this study, we develop a dimensionless assessment method to evaluate landslide dam formation by considering the relationship between the run-out distance of a tributary debris flow and the width of the main stream, deposition thickness of the tributary debris flow, and the water depth of the main stream. Based on the theory of debris flow run-out distance and fan formation, landslide dam formation may result from a tributary debris flow as a result of two concurrent formation processes: (1) the run-out distance of the tributary debris flow must be greater than the width of the main stream, and (2) the minimum deposition thickness of the tributary debris flow must be higher than the in situ water depth of the main stream. At the confluence, one of four types of depositional scenarios may result: (1) the tributary debris flow enters into the main stream and forms a landslide dam; (2) the tributary debris flow enters into the main stream but overflow occurs, thus preventing complete blockage of the main stream; (3) the tributary debris flow enters into the main stream, does not reach the far bank, and sediment remains partially above the water elevation of the main stream; or (4) the tributary debris flow enters into the main stream, does not reach the far bank, and sediment is fully submerged in the main stream. This method was applied to the analysis of 11 tributary debris flow events during Typhoon Morakot, and the results indicate that the dimensionless assessment method can be used to estimate potential areas of landslide dam formation caused by tributary debris flows. Based on this method, government authorities can determine potential areas of landslide dam formation caused by debris flows and mitigate possible disasters accordingly through a properly prepared response plan, especially for early identification.

scholarly journals On the evaluation of debris flows dynamics by means of mathematical models

2003 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 539-544 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Arattano ◽  
L. Franzi
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Dynamic Characteristics ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Rheological Behaviour ◽  
Field Analysis ◽  
Correct Prediction ◽  
Time Data ◽  
The North ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
The Mathematical Model

Abstract. The prediction of debris flow dynamic characteristics in a debris flow prone torrent is generally made through the investigation of past events. This investigation can be carried out through a survey of the marks left by past debris flows along the channel and through a detailed analysis of the type and shape of the deposits found on the debris fan. The rheological behaviour of future debris flows can then be inferred from the results of these surveys and their dynamic characteristics can be estimated applying well known formulas proposed in literature. These latter will make use of the assumptions on the rheological behaviour previously made. This type of estimation has been performed for a debris flow occurred in an instrumented basin, on the North-Eastern Italian Alps, in 1996 and the results have been compared to those obtained by means of a mathematical simulation. For the calibration of the mathematical model the limnographs recorded by three different ultrasonic gauges installed along a torrent reach on the fan were used. The comparison evidenced the importance of time data recordings for a correct prediction of the debris flows dynamics. Without the availability of data recordings, the application of formulas based only on assumptions derived from field analysis could be misleading.

scholarly journals Measurements of Velocity Profiles in Natural Debris Flows: A View behind the Muddy Curtain

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-94
Author(s):  
Georg Nagl ◽  
Johannes Hübl ◽  
Roland Kaitna
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Model Development ◽  
Fluid Pressure ◽  
Velocity Profiles ◽  
Flow Parameters ◽  
Internal Deformation ◽  
Debris Flow Hazard ◽  
Real Scale

ABSTRACT The internal deformation behavior of natural debris flows is of interest for model development and model testing for debris-flow hazard mitigation. Up to now, only a few attempts have been made to measure velocity profiles in natural debris flows due to the low predictability and high destructive power of these flows. In this contribution, we present recent advances to measure in-situ velocity profiles together with flow parameters like flow height, basal normal stress, and pore fluid pressure. This was accomplished by constructing a fin-shaped monitoring barrier with an array of paired conductivity sensors in the middle of Gadria Creek, Italy. We present results from two natural debris-flow events. Compared to the first event on July 10, 2017, the second event on August 19, 2017, was visually more liquid. Both debris flows exhibited significant longitudinal changes of flow properties like flow height and density. The liquefaction ratios reached values up to unity in some sections of the flows. Velocity profiles for the July event were mostly concave-up, while the profiles for the more liquid event in August were linear to convex. These measurements provide new insights into the dynamics of real-scale debris flows.

scholarly journals Rainstorm Magnitude and Debris Flows in Pyroclastic Deposits Covering Steep Slopes of Karst Reliefs in San Martino Valle Caudina (Campania, Southern Italy)

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 2274
Author(s):  
Guido Leone ◽  
Pasquale Clemente ◽  
Libera Esposito ◽  
Francesco Fiorillo
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Debris Flow ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Southern Italy ◽  
Distribution Functions ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Standard Normal Distribution ◽  
Relative Significance ◽  
Campania Region ◽  
Steep Slopes

Debris flows that have occurred in the area of San Martino Valle Caudina (Campania, Southern Italy) are described by geomorphological and hydrological analyses, focusing on the recent event of December 2019. This area can be considered a key example for studying debris-flow phenomena involving the pyroclastic mantle that covers the karstified bedrock along steep slopes. A hydrological analysis of the time series of the maximum annual rainfall, of durations of 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h, was carried out based on a new approach to assess rainstorm magnitude. It was quantified by measuring the deviation of the rainfall intensity from the normal conditions, within a specified time period. As the time series of annual maxima are typically skewed, a preliminary transformation is needed to normalize the distribution; to obtain the Z-value of the standard normal distribution, with mean µ = 0 and standard deviation σ = 1, different probability distribution functions were fitted to the actual data. A specific boxplot was used, with box width Z = ±1 and whiskers length Z = ±2. The deviations from these values provide the performance of the distribution fits. For the normalized time series, the rates shown by the trends and relative significance were investigated for the available time series of 11 rain gauges covering the Western–Central Campania region. The most critical condition for the debris-flow initiation appears to occur when a severe or extreme rainfall has a duration ≥ 12 h. The trend analysis did not detect statistically significant increases in the intensity of the rainfall of duration ≥ 6 h.

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