scholarly journals Basal interstitial water pressure in laboratory debris flows over a rigid bed in an open channel

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 2499-2505 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Hotta
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Interstitial Water ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Pressure Gauge ◽  
Sediment Concentration ◽  
High Temporal Resolution ◽  
Essential Information ◽  
Linear Behavior ◽  
Before And After

Abstract. Measuring the interstitial water pressure of debris flows under various conditions gives essential information on the flow stress structure. This study measured the basal interstitial water pressure during debris flow routing experiments in a laboratory flume. Because a sensitive pressure gauge is required to measure the interstitial water pressure in shallow laboratory debris flows, a differential gas pressure gauge with an attached diaphragm was used. Although this system required calibration before and after each experiment, it showed a linear behavior and a sufficiently high temporal resolution for measuring the interstitial water pressure of debris flows. The values of the interstitial water pressure were low. However, an excess of pressure beyond the hydrostatic pressure was observed with increasing sediment particle size. The measured excess pressure corresponded to the theoretical excess interstitial water pressure, derived as a Reynolds stress in the interstitial water of boulder debris flows. Turbulence was thought to induce a strong shear in the interstitial space of sediment particles. The interstitial water pressure in boulder debris flows should be affected by the fine sediment concentration and the phase transition from laminar to turbulent debris flow; this should be the subject of future studies.

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.

Behaviour of debris flows located in a mountainous torrent on the Ohya landslide, Japan

2005 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 919-931 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fumitoshi Imaizumi ◽  
Satoshi Tsuchiya ◽  
Okihiro Ohsaka
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Pressure Sensors ◽  
Ultrasonic Sensors ◽  
Erosion And Deposition ◽  
Video Cameras ◽  
Muddy Water ◽  
Initiation Zone ◽  
Flow Type

Although information on the behaviour of debris flow in the initiation zone is important for the development of mitigative measures, field data regarding this behaviour are scarce. This research examines the behaviour of debris flow in the initiation zone, based on field observations in the upper Ichinosawa catchment of the Ohya landslide in Japan. In spring 1998, a monitoring system, consisting of video cameras, ultrasonic sensors, capacitive water depth probes, and water pressure sensors (WPS), was installed to assess the behaviour of debris flows in the initiation zone. On the basis of video image analysis, we found that main flow phases during debris-flow events consisted of flow containing largely muddy water and flow containing largely cobbles and boulders. Data obtained from ultrasonic sensors and WPS show that the former flow type (muddy flow) has large amounts of interstitial water throughout its mass, whereas the latter flow type has an unsaturated layer in the upper portion. Results indicate that the concentration of solids in debris flows differs from flow to flow. Debris flows in the upper Ichinosawa catchment cause both erosion and deposition and exhibit changes in their concentration of solids.Key words: debris flow, Ohya landslide, flow behaviour, observation, initiation zone.

Multiple debris flow surges monitored directly by DFLP system at Kamikamihori Creek

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takahiro Itoh ◽  
Takahiko Nagayama ◽  
Satoru Matsuda ◽  
Takahisa Mizuyama
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Volcanic Activity ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Sediment Concentration ◽  
Relative Mass ◽  
Geophysical Research ◽  
Monitoring Method ◽  
Flow Measurements ◽  
Flow Monitoring ◽  
Sediment Particles

<p>The monitoring method for direct debris flow measurements using loadcells and so on, that were preliminary developed by WSL in Switzerland (McArdell et al., 2007), was firstly installed in Sakura-jima Island in Japan, where volcanic activity was severe, and many debris flows took place due to deposition of falling ash after eruptions. Debris Flow measurements with Loadcells and Pressure sensors (DFLP) system was installed referring to the method by WSL, and debris flow characteristics such as specific weight and volumetric sediment concentration have been obtained (e.g., Osaka et al., 2014).</p><p> In Japan, as well as in Sakura-jima island, attempts for debris flow monitoring were also carried out at KamiKamihori Creek since 1970s (e.g., Okuda et al., 1980), and there were a lot of debris flow events due to heavy rainfall. KamiKamihori Creek is at western side of Mt. Yake, where volcanic activity was severe at those time. The DFLP system was modified and installed there in November in 2014, because there were a lot of sediment deposition and debris flows took place though volcanic activity has been inactive. Present research could report the following results.  </p><p>(1) Multiple debris floe over five surges were monitored using DFLP system installed in 2014 during 15 minutes in debris flow events on August 29th, 2019. Rainfall intensity for 10 minutes was 12 mm and accumulated depth was 56 mm just before those events. Antecedent time before those events was 4.5 hours.</p><p>(2) The DFLP system measured multiple debris flow surges in events on August 29th, 2019, and sediment concentration was calculated temporary and continuously. Time-averaged sediment concentration and relative mass density are calculated as 0.470 and 1.73, respectively, under flow discharge obtained by images analysis of CCTV video camera. Equilibrium sediment concentration of coarse sediment particles is estimated 0.160 for bed slope of 0.141 (8 degrees) and calculated value using the DFLP system is over than the equilibrium value because of mud phase due to fine sediment particles.</p><p> </p><p>References</p><p>McArdell B.W., Bartelt P., Kowalski J. (2007). Field observations of basal forces and fluid pore pressure in a debris flow, Geophysical Research Letters, Vo. 34, L07406.</p><p>Okuda, S., Suwa, H., Okunishi, K., Yokoyama, K., and Nakano, M. (1980). Observation of the motion of debris flow and its geomorphological effects, Zeitschrift fur Geomorphology, Suppl.-Bd.35, pp. 142–163.</p><p>Osaka T., Utsunomiya R., Tagata S., Itoh T., Mizuyama T. (2014). Debris Flow Monitoring using Load Cells in Sakurajima Island, Proceedings of the Interpraevent 2014 in the Pacific Rim (edited by Fujita, M. et al.), Nov. 25-28, Nara, Japan, 2014, O-14.pdf in DVD.</p>

scholarly journals Debris Flow Assessment in the Gaizi-Bulunkou Section of Karakoram Highway

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ning Jiang ◽  
Fenghuan Su ◽  
Yong Li ◽  
Xiaojun Guo ◽  
Jun Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Essential Information ◽  
Calculation Results ◽  
Karakoram Highway ◽  
Four Levels ◽  
Hazard Level ◽  
Debris Flow Hazard ◽  
Hazard Levels

Highways frequently run through the flow and accumulation areas of debris flow gullies and thus are susceptible to debris flow hazards. Assessing debris flows along highways can provide references for highway planners and debris flow control, emergency management. However, the existing assessment methods mostly neglect the essential information of the flow paths and spreading areas of debris flows at the regional scale. Taking the Gaizi Village-Bulunkou Township Section (hereinafter referred to as “the Gaizi-Bulunkou Section”) of the Karakoram highway as the study area, this research introduces a simple empirical model (the Flow-R model) and establishes a method for assessing the debris flow hazard level. The main processes include data collection, inventory of former events, calculating source areas and spreading probability, verification of the model, extraction of hazard assessment factors, and calculation of debris flow hazard levels. The results show that: 1) the accuracy, sensitivity, and positive predictive power of the Flow-R model in simulating the debris flow spreading probability of the study area were 81.87, 70.80 and 72.70%, respectively. The errors mainly occurred in the debris flow fans. 2) The calculation results make it possible to divide debris flow hazard levels into four levels. N5, N19, and N28 gullies had the highest hazard level during the study period. 3) In the Gaizi-Bulunkou Section of the Karakoram highway, during the study period, the highways with very high, high, medium, and low hazards were 4.33, 0.62, 1.41, and 1.68 km in length, respectively.

scholarly journals Exploiting LSPIV to assess debris flow velocities in the field

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua I. Theule ◽  
Stefano Crema ◽  
Lorenzo Marchi ◽  
Marco Cavalli ◽  
Francesco Comiti
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Sediment Trap ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Sediment Concentration ◽  
Surface Velocity ◽  
Preliminary Treatment ◽  
Flow Surface ◽  
Image Velocimetry ◽  
Scale Particle

Abstract. The assessment of flow velocity has a central role in quantitative analysis of debris flows, both for the characterization of the phenomenology of these processes, and for the assessment of related hazards. Large scale particle image velocimetry (LSPIV) can contribute to the assessment of surface velocity of debris flows, provided that the specific features of these processes (e.g. fast stage variations and particles up to boulder size on the flow surface) are taken into account. Three debris flow events, each of them consisting of several surges featuring different sediment concentration, flow stage and velocity, have been analyzed at the inlet of a sediment trap in a stream of the eastern Italian Alps (Gadria Creek). Free softwares have been employed for preliminary treatment (ortho-rectification and format conversion) of video-recorded images as well as for LSPIV application. Results show that LSPIV velocities are consistent with manual measurements on the ortho-rectified imagery and with front velocity measured from the hydrographs in a channel reach approximately 70 m upstream of the sediment trap. Horizontal turbulence, computed as the standard deviation of the flow directions at a given cross-section for a given surge, proved to be correlated with surface velocity and with visually estimated sediment concentration. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of LSPIV in the assessment of surface velocity of debris flows, and permit to identify the most crucial aspects for improving the accuracy of debris flows velocity measurements.

scholarly journals The ability of tree stems to intercept debris flows in forested fan areas: A laboratory modelling study

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-51
Author(s):  
Francesco Bettella ◽  
Tamara Michelini ◽  
Vincenzo D'Agostino ◽  
Gian Battista Bischetti
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Sediment Concentration ◽  
Damage Potential ◽  
Protective Function ◽  
Runout Distance ◽  
Depositional Processes ◽  
General Terms ◽  
Flow Motion ◽  
Key Factor

Debris flows are one of the most common geomorphic processes in steep mountainous areas. The control of their propagation on alluvial fans is fundamental; valley bottoms are usually characterised by high damage potential because they contain concentrations of inhabitants and infrastructure. It is well known that forests have a protective function in that they reduce the triggering of debris flows, as well as hinder their motion and promote deposition, but a quantitative assessment of these effects is still lacking. Using laboratory experiments that simulate debris-flow depositional processes, this research investigated the ability of forests to reduce debris-flow runout and depositional area. The experiments considered two different forest types, high forests and coppice forests, and four volumetric concentrations of sediment (0.50, 0.55, 0.60, and 0.65). The results confirmed that the sediment concentration of the flow is a key factor in determining the geometry of the deposits. On the other hand, forests can reduce debris-flow runout distance and, in general terms, affect the characteristics of their deposits. The results showed that vegetation appear to reduce debris-flow motion especially when the debris-flow kinematic load at the fan apex is low. About the sediment concentration of the mixture, high forest did not exhibit a clear behaviour while coppice forest appears to promote significant deposition at all of the tested concentrations, and this effect increases with the solid concentration (reductions in runout between approximately 20% and 30% at CV=0.50 and CV=0.65, respectively, were observed). Due to their higher tree density, in fact, coppice forests seem to have a better protective effect than the rigid trunks of high forest trees. For this last type of forest, a relationship between the H/L ratio, which represents energy dissipation, have been found and compared with the scenario without forest.

scholarly journals Exploiting LSPIV to assess debris-flow velocities in the field

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua I. Theule ◽  
Stefano Crema ◽  
Lorenzo Marchi ◽  
Marco Cavalli ◽  
Francesco Comiti
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Flow Velocity ◽  
Sediment Trap ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Sediment Concentration ◽  
Surface Velocity ◽  
Preliminary Treatment ◽  
Flow Surface ◽  
Scale Particle

Abstract. The assessment of flow velocity has a central role in quantitative analysis of debris flows, both for the characterization of the phenomenology of these processes and for the assessment of related hazards. Large-scale particle image velocimetry (LSPIV) can contribute to the assessment of surface velocity of debris flows, provided that the specific features of these processes (e.g. fast stage variations and particles up to boulder size on the flow surface) are taken into account. Three debris-flow events, each of them consisting of several surges featuring different sediment concentrations, flow stages, and velocities, have been analysed at the inlet of a sediment trap in a stream in the eastern Italian Alps (Gadria Creek). Free software has been employed for preliminary treatment (orthorectification and format conversion) of video-recorded images as well as for LSPIV application. Results show that LSPIV velocities are consistent with manual measurements of the orthorectified imagery and with front velocity measured from the hydrographs in a channel recorded approximately 70 m upstream of the sediment trap. Horizontal turbulence, computed as the standard deviation of the flow directions at a given cross section for a given surge, proved to be correlated with surface velocity and with visually estimated sediment concentration. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of LSPIV in the assessment of surface velocity of debris flows and permit the most crucial aspects to be identified in order to improve the accuracy of debris-flow velocity measurements.

scholarly journals Learning Case Study of a Shallow-Water Model to Assess an Early-Warning System for Fast Alpine Muddy-Debris-Flow

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 750
Author(s):  
Antonio Pasculli ◽  
Jacopo Cinosi ◽  
Laura Turconi ◽  
Nicola Sciarra
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Shallow Water ◽  
Early Warning ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Early Warning System ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Water Model ◽  
Computational Time ◽  
Processing Unit

The current climate change could lead to an intensification of extreme weather events, such as sudden floods and fast flowing debris flows. Accordingly, the availability of an early-warning device system, based on hydrological data and on both accurate and very fast running mathematical-numerical models, would be not only desirable, but also necessary in areas of particular hazard. To this purpose, the 2D Riemann–Godunov shallow-water approach, solved in parallel on a Graphical-Processing-Unit (GPU) (able to drastically reduce calculation time) and implemented with the RiverFlow2D code (version 2017), was selected as a possible tool to be applied within the Alpine contexts. Moreover, it was also necessary to identify a prototype of an actual rainfall monitoring network and an actual debris-flow event, beside the acquisition of an accurate numerical description of the topography. The Marderello’s basin (Alps, Turin, Italy), described by a 5 × 5 m Digital Terrain Model (DTM), equipped with five rain-gauges and one hydrometer and the muddy debris flow event that was monitored on 22 July 2016, were identified as a typical test case, well representative of mountain contexts and the phenomena under study. Several parametric analyses, also including selected infiltration modelling, were carried out in order to individuate the best numerical values fitting the measured data. Different rheological options, such as Coulomb-Turbulent-Yield and others, were tested. Moreover, some useful general suggestions, regarding the improvement of the adopted mathematical modelling, were acquired. The rapidity of the computational time due to the application of the GPU and the comparison between experimental data and numerical results, regarding both the arrival time and the height of the debris wave, clearly show that the selected approaches and methodology can be considered suitable and accurate tools to be included in an early-warning system, based at least on simple acoustic and/or light alarms that can allow rapid evacuation, for fast flowing debris flows.

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