Dynamical evolution properties of debris flows controlled by different mesh-sized flexible net barriers

Because the flexible net barrier is a gradually developed open-type debris-flow counter-measure, there are still uncertainties in its design criterion. By using several small-scale experimental flume model tests, the dynamical evolution properties of debris flows controlled by large and small mesh-sized (equal to D₉₀ and D₅₀, respectively) flexible net barriers are studied, including the debris flow behaviors, segregation, and permeability of sediments, as well as the energy absorption rates and potential overtopping occurring when debris flows impact the small mesh-sized one. Experimental results reveal that (a) two sediment deposition patterns are observed depending on variations in debris flow textures and mesh sizes; (b) the aggregation against flexible net barriers is dominated by flow dynamics; (c) the segregation and permeable functions of the barrier are determined by the mesh size, concentration, and flow dynamics; and (d) the smaller mesh-sized flexible net barrier tends to be more efficient in restraining more turbulent debris flows and can absorb greater rate of kinematic energy, and finally, the great kinematic energy dissipation that occurs when secondary debris flows interact with the post-deposits in front of the small mesh-sized flexible net barrier is believed to cause the failure of overtopping phenomenon. The mesh size is concluded to be the decisive parameter that should be associated with debris flow textures to design the control functions of flexible net barriers.     

Simulation of debris flow on an instrumented test slope using an updated Lagrangian continuum particle method

We present an updated Lagrangian continuum particle method based on smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) for simulating debris flow on an instrumented test slope. The site is a deforested area near the village of Ruedlingen, a community in the canton of Schaffhausen in Switzerland. Artificial rainfall experiments were conducted on the slope that led to failure of the sediment in the form of a debris flow. We develop a 3D mechanistic model for this test slope and conduct numerical simulations of the flow kinematics using an SPH formulation that captures large deformation, material nonlinearity, and the complex post-failure movement of the sediment. Two main simulations explore the impact of changes in the mechanical properties of the sediment on the ensuing kinematics of the flow. The first simulation models the sediment as a granular homogeneous material, while the second simulation models the sediment as a heterogeneous material with spatially varying cohesion. The variable cohesion is meant to represent the effects of root reinforcement from vegetation. By comparing the numerical solutions with the observed failure surfaces and final free-surface geometries of the debris deposit, as well as with the observed flow velocity, flow duration, and hot spots of strain concentration, we provide insights into the accuracy and robustness of the SPH framework for modeling debris flows.

     

基于EDEM的碎屑流运动规律及冲击性能研究

泥石流运动规律及其冲击性能对于泥石流灾害的影响范围及严重程度具有重要决定意义。出于泥石流这类多相介质的复杂性,本文采用离散元仿真软件EDEM 2018对碎屑流冲击流槽试验进行了数值模拟研究,考虑流槽坡度、底部拦挡结构角度以及颗粒级配的影响,在已有研究成果的基础上对固体颗粒运动过程及冲击性能展开了系统研究。本文将数值模拟结果与现存试验数据进行了对比分析,验证了数值模拟方法的可靠性,在此基础上得出了以下结论:(1)在拦挡结构角度与颗粒级配相同的情况下,流槽坡度越大,对应的碎屑流运动速度与冲击力的峰值也越大;(2)在流槽坡度与级配相同的情况下,拦挡结构越陡,与其相互作用的固体颗粒数量越多,碎屑流越快达到速度和冲击力峰值,且对应的速度与冲击力峰值也越大;(3)在运动过程中,各颗粒级配的碎屑流均出现反序现象,且细颗粒含量的提升可提高碎屑流运动速度,但同时冲击力降低,而粗颗粒含量的提升可增大碎屑流对拦挡结构的冲击力,对于运动速度的影响较小。     

A unified CFD‐DEM approach for modeling of debris flow impacts on flexible barriers

This paper presents a unified modeling framework to investigate the impacts of debris flow on flexible barriers, based on coupled computational fluid dynamics and discrete element method (CFD‐DEM). We consider a debris flow as a mixture of fluid and particles where the fluid and particle phases are modeled by the CFD and the DEM, respectively. The fluid‐particle coupling is considered by the exchange of interaction forces between CFD and DEM calculations. The flexible barrier is simulated by the DEM as a network of bonded particles with remote interactions. The proposed coupled CFD‐DEM approach enables us to conveniently handle the complicated three‐way interactions among the fluid, the particles, and the flexible barrier structure for debris flow impact simulations. The proposed approach is first used to investigate the influences of channel inclination and the volumetric solid fraction in a debris mixture on the impact force, the resultant deformation, and the retained mass in a flexible barrier. The predictions agree well with existing experimental and numerical studies. We further examine the possible failure modes of a flexible barrier under debris flow impact and their underlying mechanisms. The performance of different components in a flexible barrier system, including single wires, double twists and cables, and their load sharing mechanisms, are carefully evaluated. The proposed unified framework offers a novel, promising pathway towards physically based, quantitative analysis and design of flexible barriers for debris flow mitigation.     

掘削卵砾石地层颗粒离散元模拟中的细观参数取值讨论

卵砾石地层被掘削时,其主要破坏模式并非一般的宏观整体剪切破坏,而是刀具切入卵砾石间的缝隙,将卵砾石颗粒剥离出原始地层,该过程较为契合颗粒离散元的物理力学假设。为确定掘削工况下的颗粒材料最优细观参数,对不同的颗粒接触法向刚度、接触刚度比、粒间摩擦系数、颗粒形状、颗粒尺寸等的颗粒材料开展了截割三维仿真试验,并分析研究了不同细观参数对掘削效果的影响。计算结果显示：颗粒接触法向刚度、接触刚度比的多种细观参数组合可以对应同一个宏观弹性模量值,接触刚度比大的细观参数组合的抗掘削能力更大。颗粒形状、粒间摩擦系数的多种细观参数组合可以对应同一个内摩擦角值,形状复杂的颗粒材料具有更大的抗掘削能力。在宏观参数相同的情况下,平均粒径更大的颗粒材料抗掘削能力更大。因此,利用颗粒离散元模拟掘削卵砾石地层问题时,除需保证虚拟颗粒材料的宏观整体剪切破坏响应与真实材料基本一致外,还需根据材料的抗掘削能力进一步标定细观参数,以获得更贴近实际情况的模拟效果。文章提出的方法可以为其他颗粒离散元掘削工况数值模拟中的参数标定提供参照依据。     

宽级配砾石土缩尺强度特性试验研究

宽级配砾石土广泛分布于泥石流易发区,其强度特性是正确评价泥石流启动和防治设计的关键性问题。为探讨宽级配砾石土强度参数与最大颗粒粒径和颗粒级配的关系,针对3种不同颗粒级配缩尺处理后最大粒径分别为30 mm、20 mm、10 mm和5 mm的宽级配砾石土进行三轴固结不排水强度试验。结果表明,宽级配砾石土具有液化特性,试验曲线表现为应变软化、应变硬化和应变软化-硬化3种形态;对于出现液化的土体,有效内摩擦角随着最大粒径的增大而线性增大;有效内摩擦角随着不均匀系数的增大而增大,两者呈二次函数关系;随着特征粒径的增大呈分段线性增大。研究结果为泥石流启动预测和防治工程设计的参数选取提供一定参考支持。     

Effects of Material Composition and Water Content on the Mechanical Properties of Landslide Deposits Triggered by the Wenchuan Earthquake

Abundant landslide deposits were triggered by the Wenchuan earthquake, providing a rich source of material for subsequent debris flows or slope failures under rainfall conditions. A good understanding of the physical and mechanical properties of the landslide deposits is very important to the research on slope failure mechanisms and the initiation of debris flow. Laboratory biaxial compression tests are used to study the material compositions and water content impacts on the mechanical properties of landslide deposits, and a discrete element method (a bond-contact model) is used to study the particle stiffness, bond force, friction coefficient and confining stress impact on the mechanical behaviors and the relationships between the numerical and experimental parameters. The experimental results show that the failure stress of landslide deposits is decreased with increasing content of fine particles and also with increased water content, especially at the initial increasing stage. Cohesion of the saturated landslide deposits is increased, but the friction angle is decreased with the increase in the fine particle content. Shear strength parameters (the cohesion and friction angle) are decreased with the increasing water content at the initial increasing stage, and then, they slowly decrease. There is a critical value of the water content at 5%–7% (in weight) for the failure stress and shear strength parameters of the landslide deposits. Quadratic equations are presented to describe the relation between the bond force and cohesion, and the numerical friction coefficient and the experimental friction angle.     

基于物质点法的土体流动大变形过程数值模拟

土体滑坡作为一种自然地质灾害,受自然因素和人类活动的影响在我国时有发生,给周围居民的生命和财产安全带来了很大威胁,日益受到人们的广泛关注。滑坡防治也逐渐成为工程研究的热点之一。土体本质上是一种具有复杂组成结构的颗粒材料堆积体,通过对颗粒流动的模拟可以深入理解自然界中的土体流动现象,如滑坡、泥石流等,进而预测灾害破坏范围及改进相应工程防护措施。但由于土体流动是一个涉及大变形及大位移的复杂流动过程,传统的基于网格的有限元法（FEM）由于网格畸变,并不适合这类问题的研究。本文采用物质点法（MPM）模拟土体流动大变形问题。作为一种源于particle-in-cell（PIC）法的无网格法,兼具欧拉法和拉格朗日法的优点,因而,物质点法在处理大变形问题上具有独特的优势。目前,国内外利用物质点法模拟边坡滑动问题已有不少研究,但对相关参数进行敏感性分析的较少。本文基于物质点法模拟了黏性土体及无黏性土体流动大变形问题,并进行了参数敏感性分析,包括土体材料的内摩擦角、黏聚力、高宽比、底面坡度对土体滑动距离的影响规律。本文计算中采用Drucker-Prager（DP）弹塑性本构模型描述土的非线性特性。研究结果表明:（1）基于物质点法得到的土体的流动形态、滑动距离以及自然休止角等数值模拟结果均与文献中的实验结果基本吻合,验证了物质点法模拟土体大变形力学行为的精度及有效性;（2）随着内摩擦角、黏聚力的增大,滑动距离相应减小;（3）坡度对边坡稳定的影响是显著的,随着底面坡度的增大,滑动距离相应增大;（4）当土柱高宽比较小时,与滑动距离呈线性增长关系。其中,内摩擦角和黏聚力反映了土体的抗剪切性能,因此通过工程措施提高土体的抗剪能力可以降低土体滑坡带来的危害。研究结果为探索土体滑动破坏规律,降低滑动破坏范围提供了可靠的参考。     

Geophysical flows impacting a flexible barrier: effects of solid-fluid interaction

Flexible barriers undergo large deformation to extend the impact duration, and thereby reduce the impact load of geophysical flows. The performance of flexible barriers remains a crucial challenge because there currently lacks a comprehensive criterion for estimating impact load. In this study, a series of centrifuge tests were carried out to investigate different geophysical flow types impacting an instrumented flexible barrier. The geophysical flows modelled include covered in this study include flood, hyperconcentrated flow, debris flow, and dry debris avalanche. Results reveal that the relationship between the Froude number, Fr, and the pressure coefficient α strongly depends on the formation of static deposits called dead zones which induce static loads and whether a run-up or pile-up impact mechanism develops. Test results demonstrate that flexible barriers can attenuate peak impact loads of flood, hyperconcentrated flow, and debris flow by up to 50% compared to rigid barriers. Furthermore, flexible barriers attenuate the impact load of dry debris avalanche by enabling the dry debris to reach an active failure state through large deformation. Examination of the state of static debris deposits behind the barriers indicates that hyperconcentrated and debris flows are strongly influenced by whether excessive pore water pressures regulate the depositional process of particles during the impact process. This results in significant particle rearrangement and similar state of static debris behind rigid barrier and the deformed full-retention flexible barrier, and thus the static loads on both barriers converge.     

颗粒大小对颗粒材料力学行为影响初探

利用一种特殊颗粒材料-玻璃珠进行了一系列室内直剪试验,研究颗粒大小对颗粒材料力学行为的影响。试验一共考虑了3条近乎平行的级配曲线和4种颗粒摩擦情况：干燥状态、水浸润状态、水淹没状态和油浸润状态。试验结果表明,颗粒大小对颗粒材料的力学行为有显著影响,剪胀性随着粒径的增大而增强。为考虑颗粒大小对剪胀性的影响,提出了一种新的剪胀关系式。在该剪胀关系式中,剪胀系数为依赖于颗粒大小和颗粒摩擦等颗粒基本性质的变量。试验研究同时表明临界状态摩擦角随着颗粒大小的增加而增加。此外,从颗粒细观运动的角度提出了颗粒滑动的功能模型,推导出了功能方程,并以此揭示了颗粒大小对临界状态摩擦角影响的细观机制。     

考虑颗粒破碎影响的粗粒土本构模型

颗粒破碎直接改变了粗粒土本身结构,对粗粒土的剪胀、内摩擦角、峰值强度、渗透系数都会产生影响。为了能够准确地描述粗粒土的应力-应变关系,特别是高应力条件下出现显著颗粒破碎时的应力-应变关系,亟待建立考虑颗粒破碎的粗粒土本构模型。根据三轴试验数据,建立考虑颗粒破碎耗能的应力-应变关系,采用相关联流动法则导出考虑颗粒破碎的粗粒土本构模型。所建立的本构模型考虑了颗粒破碎对粗粒土剪胀、内摩擦角的影响。通过变异粒子群优化算法确定模型参数,拟合试验曲线。模型计算结果与试验曲线拟合较好,能够很好地描述粗粒土在不同围压下的体积剪胀、剪缩和应力硬化、软化现象。     

In-situ strength tests of coarse, cohesionless debris on scree slopes

Debris strength is a key factor in the initiation of debris flows. Therefore debris strength must be measured to assess the initiation conditions of debris flows. It is difficult to test the strength of coarse debris in the laboratory, as large quantities of material are needed to eliminate single-particle effects. Therefore in-situ strength tests have been conducted on scree slopes in the southern French Alps to measure the strength of dry, coarse, matrixless debris. The test method consisted of bringing a debris mass into movement parallel to the slope surface on slopes at or near the critical slope angle.

As dry, coarse, matrixless debris is essentially cohesionless, its strength can be characterized by its internal friction angle. Mean kinetic internal friction angles vary from 360° to 387° for five debris types with mean stone sizes ranging from 33–50 mm. Stone size sorting is the most important cause of variations in kinetic internal friction angle. Stone shape also influences the kinetic internal friction angle, but it is less important. Stone size, stone shape sorting and rock type have no influence. However, rock type may indirectly influence kinetic internal friction angle through stone size sorting and stone shape.     

Micromechanical Modelling of Granular Materials: Effect of Particle Size and Gradation

In this paper the effects of maximum particle size, particle gradation/sorting and fabric on bulk mechanical behaviour of granular materials such as coarse grained soils and rockfills are investigated" from micromechanical considerations starting from the grain scale level, using numerical" simulations based on Discrete Element Modelling (DEM). Hydrostatic compaction and biaxial tests on 2-dimensional assemblies of discs with varying particle sizes and gradations were modelled using DEM. An examination of the constitutive behaviour of granular media considering" the particulate nature of the medium has been attempted to explain the effect of particle size and gradation. Simulation results on perfectly parallel graded assemblies indicate that with increase in the size of the particles, a marginal increase (or no increase) in the angle of internal friction is observed during biaxial loading conditions. A change to a wider gradation (keeping the minimum grain size the same) results in a decrease in the angle of internal friction and an increase in volumetric strain to a considerable extent. Based on micromechanical force and fabric parameters, the basis for the physical behaviour was established. This helps in understanding the physics of parallel gradation techniques.     

Micromechanical investigation of the particle size effect on the shear strength of uncrushable granular materials

Particle size strongly influences the shear strength of granular materials. However, previous studies of the particle size effect have focused mainly on the macroscopic behavior of granular materials, neglecting the associated micro-mechanism. In this study, the effect of particle size on the shear strength of uncrushable granular materials in biaxial testing is investigated using the discrete element method (DEM). First, a comprehensive calibration against experimental results is conducted to obtain the DEM parameters for two types of quartz sand. Then, a series of biaxial tests are simulated on sands with parallel particle size distributions to investigate the effect of particle size on macro- and microscopic behaviors. Finally, by adopting the rolling resistance method and the clump method, irregular-shaped particles are simulated to investigate how the particle size effect will be influenced by the particle shape. Simulation results demonstrate that (1) the peak shear strength increases with particle size, whereas the residual shear strength is independent of particle size; (2) the thickness of the shear band increases with the particle size, but its ratio decreases with particle size; (3) the particle size effect can be explained by the increase of friction utilization ratio with particle size; and (4) the particle size effect is more significant in granular materials that consist of particles with higher angularity.

     

Numerical modelling of rheological properties of landslide debris

Debris flow has caused severe human casualties and economic losses in landslide-prone areas around the globe. A comprehensive understanding of the morphology and deposition mechanisms of debris flows is crucial to delineate the extent of a debris flow hazard. However, due to inherent complex field topography and varying compositions of the flowing debris, coupled with a lack of fundamental understanding about the factors controlling the geomaterial flow, interparticle interactions and its final settlement resulted in a limited understanding of the flow behaviour of the landslide debris. In this study, a physical model was set up in the laboratory to simulate and calibrate the debris flow using PFC, a distinct element modelling-based software. After calibration, a case study of the Varunavat landslide was taken to validate the developed numerical model. Following validation with an acceptable level of confidence, several models were generated to evaluate the effect of slope height, slope angle, slope profile, and grain size distribution of the dislodged geomaterial in the rheological properties of debris flow. Both qualitative and quantitative analysis of the landslide debris flow was performed. Finally, the utility of retaining wall and their effect on debris flow is also studied with different retaining wall positions along the slope surface.

     

黏性材料细观与宏观力学参数相关性研究

岩土工程数值模拟技术中参数选取的正确性是反应材料真实力学特性的基本前提。借助于颗粒离散元分析软件PFC2D,对黏性土类材料样本开展了大量的平面双轴压缩试验。通过记录不同围压下样本的轴向应力峰值,并依据摩尔-库仑强度准则对数值试样的剪切强度参数（内摩擦角、黏聚力）进行标定。着重探讨了黏性材料细观参数中颗粒刚度比kn /ks（0.5～10共12组）、颗粒粘结强度SBS（0～50 kPa共12组）、颗粒摩擦系数?（0～6共16组）以及颗粒粘结强度比K（0.1～10共15组）和材料宏观剪切强度参数以及材料剪切特性之间的相关性。研究结果表明：颗粒粘结（法向、切向）强度同对材料黏聚力呈线性相关;颗粒摩擦系数与材料内摩擦角呈近似对数相关;颗粒刚度比大小对材料剪切强度参数变化亦有微弱的影响;此外,K值（切向粘结强度/法向粘结强度）是影响材料的剪切破坏形态的重要因素。最后,采用了两个多元非线性拟合公式,定量地描述了以上各细观参数和材料宏观剪切强度参数的联合关系,并给出了K值的建议取值,为后续的研究提供重要的理论基础。     

散粒体中锚杆间距的锚固效应研究

采用细观数值模拟方法研究散粒体的锚固效应,基于随机模拟技术生成三维多面体颗粒及其在空间中的分布,在随机散粒体不连续变形模型的基础上将砾石锚固试验进行数值实现,分析加锚散粒体材料的宏观与细观力学性能,研究加锚密度及其与颗粒粒径的关系对散粒体力学性质的影响,并探讨锚杆在散粒体材料中的作用机制。分别建立不同锚杆间距和不同颗粒粒径的数值试样,数值模拟结果表明：散粒体锚固数值试验能够较好地反映不同加锚散粒体结构的变形规律与锚固效应;散粒体材料的宏观特性与其细观组构的演化密切相关;锚杆加固散粒体的作用机制为加锚散粒体内形成压缩区,挤压加固作用提高了散粒体间的接触作用力,散粒体结构的整体性得到加强并能承受一定荷载;不考虑锚杆长度的情况下,当锚杆间距小于3倍的散粒体平均粒径时,锚杆能够有效地加固散粒体形成稳定结构。     

A well-balanced numerical scheme for debris flow run-out prediction in Xiaojia Gully considering different hydrological designs

To simulate debris flow run-out, the governing equations for free-surface shallow flow are corrected by setting the basal flow resistance coefficients with the quadratic rheological friction model. A well-balanced numerical scheme is developed for its run-out simulation over irregular topography. A linear reconstruction is adopted for improving the spatial accuracy of the numerical scheme. Considering the complex friction terms of governing equations of debris flow, they are estimated with a full implicit scheme for ensuring stability of the numerical scheme. The validity check of run-out simulation is implemented based on general knowledge of fluid, and a well-studied case occurred in the Xiezi Gully in Yingxiu Town, Sichuan Province of China. For practical purpose, the present numerical scheme is used for run-out prediction of debris flow in Xiaojia Gully of Panzhihua City, Sichuan Province of China. Our work aims to present a well-balanced numerical scheme for debris flow run-out simulation prediction, which can be applied quite conveniently to solve other kinds of debris flow models and helpful to promote the development in debris flow numerical calculation.     

Velocity attenuation of debris flows and a new momentum-based load model for rigid barriers

Effective design of mitigation measures against debris flow hazards remains a challenging geotechnical problem. At present, a pseudo-static approach is commonly used for the calculation of impact load acting on a rigid debris-resisting barrier. The impact load is normally calculated based on the maximum velocity observed in the transportation zone under free-field conditions without considering debris-barrier interaction. In reality, the impact load acting on a barrier varies with the change of debris momentum flux but this is seldom considered in barrier design. To provide a scientific basis for assessing debris momentum flux during impact, this paper presents results from a study of debris-barrier interaction using physical flume modelling. This study showed that, following the first stage of impact, the accumulated debris behind a barrier formed a stationary zone and caused the remaining debris to slow down in a run-up process. In the experiments, the peak debris momentum was 30 % lower compared to that observed under free-field conditions. A new momentum-based model was developed to take into account attenuation of momentum flux for predicting debris impact load on rigid barriers. The new rationalised model was assessed using data from the notable Yu Tung Road debris flow in Hong Kong. The assessment showed that the design bending moment at the base of the barrier wall could be reduced more than 30 % using the proposed model, compared with the current design approach. The adoption of the proposed model could offer a new opportunity for practitioners to optimise the design of rigid barriers.     

Numerical modelling of fluid flow in microscopic images of granular materials

A program for the simulation of two‐dimensional (2‐D) fluid flow at the microstructural level of a saturated anisotropic granular medium is presented. The program provides a numerical solution to the complete set of Navier–Stokes equations without a priori assumptions on the viscous or convection components. This is especially suited for the simulation of the flow of fluids with different density and viscosity values and for a wide range of granular material porosity. The analytical solution for fluid flow in a simple microstructure of porous medium is used to verify the computer program. Subsequently, the flow field is computed within microscopic images of granular material that differ in porosity, particle size and particle shape. The computed flow fields are shown to follow certain paths depending on air void size and connectivity. The permeability tensor coefficients are derived from the flow fields, and their values are shown to compare well with laboratory experimental data on glass beads, Ottawa sand and silica sands. The directional distribution of permeability is expressed in a functional form and its anisotropy is quantified. Permeability anisotropy is found to be more pronounced in the silica sand medium that consists of elongated particles. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.