Debris-flow event in the Frangerello Stream-Susa Valley (Italy)—calibration of numerical models for the back analysis of the 16 October, 2000 rainstorm

Three debris-flow simulation model software have been applied to the back analysis of a typical alpine debris flow that caused significant deposition on an urbanized alluvial fan. Parameters used in the models were at first retrieved from the literature and then adjusted to fit field evidence. In the case where different codes adopted the same parameters, the same input values were used, and comparable outputs were obtained. Results of the constitutive laws used (Bingham rheology, Voellmy fluid rheology and a quadratic rheology formulation which adds collisional and turbulent stresses to the Bingham law) indicate that no single rheological model appears to be valid for all debris flows. The three applied models appear to be capable of reasonable reproduction of debris-flow events, although with different levels of detail. The study shows how different software can be used to predict the debris-flow motion for various purposes from a first screening, to predict the runout distance and deposition of the solid material and to the different behaviour of the mixtures of flows with variation of maximum solid concentration.     

Comparison of numerical models of two debris flows in the Cortina d’ Ampezzo area,Dolomites, Italy

The accurate prediction of runout distances, velocities and the knowledge of flow rheology can reduce the casualties and property damage produced by debris flows, providing a means to delineate hazard areas, to estimate hazard intensities for input into risk studies and to provide parameters for the design of protective measures. The application of most of models that describe the propagation and deposition of debris flow requires detailed topography, rheological and hydrological data that are not always available for the debris-flow hazard delineation and estimation. In the Cortina d’Ampezzo area, Eastern Dolomites, Italy, most of the slope instabilities are represented by debris flows; 325 debris-flow prone watersheds have been mapped in the geomorphological hazard map of this area. We compared the results of simulations of two well-documented debris flows in the Cortina d’Ampezzo area, carried on with two different single-phase, non-Newtonian models, the one-dimensional DAN-W and the two-dimensional FLO-2D, to test the possibility to simulate the dynamic behaviour of a debris flow with a model using a limited range of input parameters. FLO-2D model creates a more accurate representation of the hazard area in terms of flooded area, but the results in terms of runout distances and deposits thickness are similar to DAN-W results. Using DAN-W, the most appropriate rheology to describe the debris-flow behaviour is the Voellmy model. When detailed topographical, rheological and hydrological data are not available, DAN-W, which requires less detailed data, is a valuable tool to predict debris-flow hazard. Parameters obtained through back-analysis with both models can be applied to predict hazard in other areas characterized by similar geology, morphology and climate.     

Debris-flow simulations on Cheekye River, British Columbia

Cheekye River fan is the best-studied fan complex in Canada. The desire to develop portions of the fan with urban housing triggered a series of studies to estimate debris-flow risk to future residents. A recent study (Jakob and Friele 2010) provided debris-flow frequency-volume and frequency-discharge data, spanning 20-year to 10,000-year return periods that form the basis for modeling of debris flows on Cheekye River. The numerical computer model FLO-2D was chosen as a modelling tool to predict likely flow paths and to estimate debris-flow intensities for a spectrum of debris-flow return periods. The model is calibrated with the so-called Garbage Dump debris flow that occurred some 900  years ago. Field evidence suggests that the Garbage Dump debris flow has a viscous flow phase that deposited a steep-sided debris plug high in organics in centre fan, which then deflected a low-viscosity afterflow that travelled to Squamish River with slowly diminishing flow depths. The realization of a two-phase flow led to a modelling approach in which the debris-flow hydrograph was split into a high viscosity and low viscosity phase that were modelled in chronologic sequence as two separate and independent modelling runs. A perfect simulation of the Garbage Dump debris flow with modelling is not possible because the exact topography at the time of the event is, to some degree, speculative. However, runout distance, debris deposition and deposit thickness are well known and serve as a good basis for calibration. Predictive analyses using the calibrated model parameters suggest that, under existing conditions, debris flows exceeding a 50-year return period are likely to avulse onto the southern fan sector, thereby damaging existing development and infrastructure. Debris flows of several thousand years return period would inundate large portions of the fan, sever Highway 99, CN Rail, and the Squamish Valley road and would impact existing housing development on the fan. These observations suggest a need for debris-flow mitigation for existing and future development alike.     

阵发性洪水条件下辫状河型冲积扇构型研究:以准噶尔盆地西北缘现代白杨河冲积扇为例*

白杨河冲积扇是由阵发性洪水期的碎屑流沉积物与间洪期辫状河沉积物组成的复合型冲积扇,其构型与碎屑流扇的构型和河流型扇的构型有很大的不同。本研究选取准噶尔盆地西北缘干旱气候下发育的现代白杨河冲积扇作为解剖实例,对103个天然剖面和9个人工大型探槽进行了详细测量,在沉积微相及不同级别的沉积构型的观测和分析的基础上,分析了阵发性洪水条件下间歇性辫状河型冲积扇体的地貌单元的演化过程和沉积构型特征,研究不同流态的阵发性洪水条件下各种建造和改造机制,明确受阵发性洪水控制的间歇性辫状河型冲积扇的沉积特征,建立了其沉积构型模式。认为: 在洪水期,阵发性洪流(碎屑流)形成席状化的片流(或片洪)沉积,在洪退期,随着洪水强度的减弱,又转变为辫流沉积,而在间洪期,仍有持续的辫状流体(牵引流)在限制性的水道中流动,并对洪水期的碎屑流沉积物进行改造,形成了限制性的(条带状的)辫状河道沉积,2个时期的沉积物在时空上频繁叠置,形成了一种更加复杂的沉积构型。该模式对油田地下冲积扇砂砾储集层的成因识别、预测及对比具有一定的参考价值。     

The sedimentary history of a debris-flow dominated, Devonian alluvial fan–a study of textural inversion

Karlskaret fan, with a radius of less than 11/2 km and dominated by debris-flow conglomerates, is one of numerous alluvial fans built out from the fault margins of Hornelen Basin (Devonian, Norway). The fan body is more than 170 m thick proximally, consists of four main coarsening-upwards segments and thins distally by a rising of its base and by a vigorous interfingering with very fine-grained sediments originating from an adjacent, impinging floodbasin system. Within the entire fan body, and within individual lobes, is a proximal-distal (and vertical) facies change from sheet-like, polymodal debris-flow conglomerates through matrix-rich conglomerates that are commonly distorted by loading, slumping and faulting, to remarkably sheet-like, matrix-rich granule sandstone of subaqueous debris-flow origin. Because the alluvial fan prograded into an actively aggrading floodbasin the primary fanglomerates, themselves having been subject to some sorting on the fan surface, incorporated large quantitites of very fine sediments. This inclusion of fines, effectively a textural inversion on the lower fan reaches, frequently led to remobilization and resedimentation of material beyond the fan toe. Anomalous maximum particle size/bed thickness relationships and a variety of graded textures within these resedimented beds suggest deposition in lacustrine areas of the adjacent floodbasin.     

基于HBP本构模型的泥石流动力过程SPH数值模拟

本构模型是描述泥石流流变特性的关键,也是决定其动力过程数值模拟准确性的核心问题之一。泥石流流体属多相混合物,现有的研究已证实其存在剪切增稠或剪切变稀的现象,传统基于Bingham及Cross线性本构关系的数值模型难以准确描述泥石流流变特性。文中探讨了Bingham模型在低剪应变率下的数值发散问题,在光滑粒子流体动力学（SPH）方法框架上建立了整合Herschel-Bulkley-Papanastasiou(HBP）本构关系的稀性泥石流动力过程三维数值模型。相比传统基于浅水波假设的二维数值模型,所述方法从三维尺度建立SPH形式下的泥石流浆体纳维?斯托克斯方程并进行数值求解,可获取泥石流速度场时空分布及堆积形态,同时采用HBP本构关系描述泥石流流变特性,能在确保数值收敛的前提下反映泥石流流体在塑性屈服过渡段及大变形状态下应力?应变的非线性变化。为验证提出方法的合理性,结合小型模型槽实验观测进行了对比,结果表明数值模拟与实测结果基本吻合。     

东营凹陷盐22块沙四上亚段砂砾岩粒度概率累积曲线特征

在岩芯观察和沉积相分析基础上,利用粒度分析资料对东营凹陷北部陡坡带盐22块沙四上亚段近岸水下扇砂砾岩体的粒度概率累积曲线进行了研究。研究表明,该地区近岸水下扇砂砾岩中的粒度概率累积曲线主要包括：＂上拱弧形＂、＂简单一段式＂、＂准牵引流型＂等3种基本类型和＂近似上拱弧形＂、＂台阶状多段式＂、＂低斜率两段式＂、＂低斜率三段...     

三级“源-渠-汇”耦合研究珠江深水扇系统

国外单纯地依靠建立深水扇沉积模式来研究深水沉积已经走入了困境,本文尝试通过三级“源-渠-汇”耦合研究来探索珠江深水扇系统的沉积。三级次的源-渠-汇耦合研究方法是把控制珠江深水扇系统沉积的诸因素分成宏观-中观-微观级别,分层次地考察珠江深水扇系统。强调利用宏观研究来描述发育珠江深水扇系统形成的地质条件;利用以层序地层解释为主要手段的中观研究刻画出深水扇的沉积结构模式;通过沉积内幕及其响应关系的微观研究识别珠江深水扇的供源背景、输送管道、沉积微观内幕、沉积过程、沉积流态、储集条件和圈闭性。这种方法较之传统扇模式更能从成因上分层次地揭示深水扇的形成发育演化。     

粘性泥石流入汇区河床堆积动力学研究的问题与展望

粘性泥石流入汇主河极大地改变了入汇区的河床堆积地貌，其动力学实质是非牛顿流体与牛顿流体的交互作用，合理描述粘性泥石流入汇区河床堆积动力过程对于划定粘性泥石流风险区范围和认知流域地貌演化具有重大意义。粘性泥石流入汇区河床堆积体时空演化过程有别于粘性泥石流在地表的纯堆积过程，通过回顾国内外学者在泥石流入汇区堆积动力学方面的研究成果，可以发现在粘性泥石流入汇区内堆积现象复杂，存在"阵性"输移、"元堆积"和龙头"水滑"等特殊现象。但目前的研究对泥石流和水流交互机制都进行了简化，一是将粘性泥石流视为挟沙水流，直接采用异重流方法；二是将粘性泥石流视为"半固态"，只考虑水流的输沙特征，研究认为基于这样的简化不足以描述粘性泥石流入汇的物理过程和特殊现象，也低估了粘性泥石流交汇区冲击速度和堆积范围。同时，根据粘性泥石流入汇区河床堆积动力过程的研究现状，结合粘性泥石流入汇的特殊运动过程，提出未来可开展的工作:一是粘性泥石流入汇的物理过程和其交互机制的合理简化；二是普适性高的粘性泥石流-水流堆积动力学模型的建立。      

Driftwood deposition from debris flows at slit-check dams and fans

Experience shows that debris flows containing large woody debris (driftwood) can be more damaging than debris flows without driftwood. In this study, the deposition process of debris flows carrying driftwood was investigated using numerical simulations and flume experiments. Debris-flow trapping due to driftwood jamming in a slit-check dam was also investigated. A numerical model was developed with an interacting combination of Eulerian expression of the debris flow and Lagrangian expression of the driftwood, in which the fluctuating coordinates and rotation of the driftwood were treated stochastically. The calculated shapes and thicknesses of a debris-flow fan and the positions and orientations of the deposited driftwood on a debris-flow fan were consistent with experimental flume results. The jamming of driftwood in a slit-check dam was evaluated based on geometry and probability. The simulated results of outflow discharge and the proportion of driftwood passed through the slit-check dam also agreed with the experimental results.     

Empirical Relationships for Debris Flows

The assessment of the debris flow hazard potential has to rely on semi-quantitative methods. Due to the complexity of the debris-flow process, numerical simulation models of debris flows are still limited with regard to practical applications. Thus, an overview is given of empirical relationships that can be used to estimate the most important parameters of debris-flow behavior. In a possible procedure, an assessment of a maximum debris-flow volume may be followed by estimates of the peak discharge, the mean flow velocity, the total travel distance, and the runout distance on the fan. The applicability of several empirical equations is compared with available field and laboratory data, and scaling considerations are used to discuss the variability of the parameters over a large range of values. Some recommendations are made with regard to the application of the presented relationships by practicing engineers, apart from advocating field reconnaissance and searching for historic events wherever possible.     

Fractal-statistical analysis of grain-size distributions of debris-flow deposits and its geological implications

Breakage models and particle analyses have been widely used as tools for describing and interpreting various deposits and providing parameters for assessing the particle-size distribution of the deposits. Debris flows can be seen as a two-phase rheological fluid with a clay-fluid composition, and debris-flow deposits comprise mud, silt, sand, and boulders, with grain sizes ranging from less than one μm to more than several meters. As a consequence, according to fractal theory, the particles in debris-flow deposits have self-similarity in geometrical shape and scale invariance in size. In this paper, the fractal dimensions of particles in various debris-flow deposits are calculated and corresponding fractal features are determined based on fractal-statistical theory. The aims of the study are: to provide a quantitative grain parameter that reflects both the grain composition and grain-size distribution in debris-flow deposits; to compare the fractal dimensions of grains in different types of debris-flow deposits and the degree of self-organization of debris flows; as well as to discuss the geological implications of fractal dimensions and fractal features of particles in debris-flow deposits.     

Sedimentology of the debris-flow-dominated Warm Spring Canyon alluvial fan, Death Valley, California

Facies analysis of widely distributed exposures of the 32·6 km² and 8·1-km-long Warm Spring Canyon fan, central Death Valley, shows that it has been built principally by debris-flow deposits. These deposits were derived from a mature Panamint Range catchment mostly underlain by Precambrian mudrock, quartzite and dolomite. Stacked, clast-rich and matrix-supported debris-flow lobes of slightly bouldery, muddy, pebble–cobble gravel in beds 20–150 cm thick dominate the fan from apex to toe, accounting for 75–98% of most exposures. Interstratified with the debris flows are less abundant (2–25% of cuts), thinner (5–30 cm) and more discontinuous beds of clast-supported and imbricated, pebble–cobble gravel deposited by overland flows and gully flows. This facies formed by the surficial fine-fraction water winnowing of the debris flows primarily during recessional flood stage of the debris-flow events. Two other facies associations make up a small part of the fan. The incised-channel tract consists of a 250-m-wide clast-supported ribbon of irregularly to thickly bedded, boulder, pebble, cobble gravel nested within debris-flow deposits. This channel fill is oriented generally perpendicular to the Panamint range front. It formed by extensive erosion and winnowing of debris flows deposited within the incised channel, into which all water discharge from the catchment is funnelled. The limited presence of this facies only straddling the present incised channel indicates that this channel overall has maintained a consistent position on the fan except for slight lateral shifts, some caused by strike-slip offset. Fault offset temporarily closed the upper incised channel, causing recessional debris-flow mud to be ponded behind the dam. The other local facies assemblage consists of subrounded to rounded, moderately sorted pebble gravel in low-angle cross-beds that slope both basinwards and fanwards. This gravel was deposited in beachface, backshore and shoreface barrier-spit environments that developed where Lake Manly impinged on the Warm Spring fan during late Pleistocene time. These deposits straddle headcuts into, and were derived from, erosion of the debris-flow deposits. Wave energy sorted finer sediment from the shore zone, concentrated coarser sediment and rounded the coarse to very coarse pebble fraction by selective reworking.     

Sediments and processes on a small stream-flow dominated,devonian alluvial fan,Shetland Islands

The main conglomerate type of a small Devonian alluvial fan in Shetland, northern Britain, is an inverse to normally graded framework-supported gravel. The sedimentological details of these beds and fundamental considerations of the mechanics of movement of highly concentrated flows suggests that neither debris-flow nor grain-flow were responsible for the deposition of these conglomerates. On the contrary, these inverse to normally graded conglomerates were deposited by water as thick gravel sheets with little topographic relief, but broadly analogous to longitudinal bars. They were deposited under high aggradation conditions first on the rising and then on the falling flood. The high concentration of material in transport on the rising and peak flood was responsible for the polymodal and unstratified nature of the conglomerates. As the flood waned, normal grading was developed and a preferred horizontal fabric was produced under low concentrations of sediment.Other conglomerate types, comparatively of lesser importance, were deposited from highly concentrated clast dispersions and are notably richer in matrix and locally possess inverse grading.The hydrological environment was one of flashy discharges of short duration but of high velocity. Flow was dissipated rapidly, perhaps due to extreme water loss.This example from the Devonian of Shetland provides an interesting alternative to the mass-transport dominated fan models currently in vogue.     

Debris-flow hazards on tributary junction fans,Chitral, Hindu Kush Range,northern Pakistan

The Chitral district of northern Pakistan lies in the eastern Hindu Kush Range. The population in this high-relief mountainous terrain is restricted to tributary-junction fans in the Chitral valley. Proximity to steep valley slopes renders these fans prone to hydrogeomorphic hazards, including landslides, floods and debris flows.This paper focuses on debris-flow hazards on tributary-junction fans in Chitral. Using field observations, satellite-image analyses and a preliminary morphometry, the tributary-junction fans in the Chitral valley are classified into (1) discrete and (2) composite. The discrete fans are modern-day active landforms and include debris cones associated with ephemeral gullies, debris fans associated with ephemeral channels and alluvial fans formed by perennial streams. The composite fans are a collage of sediment deposits of widely different ages and formed by diverse alluvial-fan forming processes. These include fans formed predominantly during MIS-2/Holocene interglacial stages superimposed by modern-day alluvial and debris fans. Composite fans are turned into relict fans when entrenched by modern-day perennial streams. These deeply incised channels discharge their sediment load directly into the trunk river without significant spread on fan surface. In comparison, when associated with ephemeral streams, active debris fans develop directly at composite-fan surfaces. Major settlements in Chitral are located on composite fans, as they provide large tracts of leveled land with easy accesses to water from the tributary streams. These fan surfaces are relatively more stable, especially when they are entrenched by perennial streams (e.g., Chitral, Ayun, and Reshun). When associated with ephemeral streams (e.g., Snowghar) or a combination of ephemeral and perennial streams (e.g., Drosh), these fans are subject to frequent debris-flow hazards.Fans associated with ephemeral streams are prone to high-frequency (∼10 years return period) debris-flow hazards. By comparison, fans associated with perennial streams are impacted by debris-flow hazards during exceptionally large events with return periods of ∼30 years. This study has utility for quick debris-flow hazard assessment in high-relief mountainous regions, especially in arid- to semi-arid south-central Asia where hazard zonation maps are generally lacking.     

Effect assessment of debris flow mitigation works based on numerical simulation by using Kanako 2D

Mitigation works are very essential for mitigation of debris-flow hazards in mountainous areas. Usually, it is difficult to assess the effectiveness of existing mitigation works in a catchment. This paper presented a method for quantitative assessment of debris flow mitigation measures by using Kanako system, a user-friendly GUI-equipped debris flow simulator that allows good visualization and easy interpretation. Kanako 2D (Ver. 2.04) was applied to a case study at Caijia Gully, Sichuan Province, China. Mitigation works including check dams, drainage channel, and deposition basin were constructed in the gully in 2001 and 2006. Kanako 2D can simulate debris flow from steep area to alluvial fan. 1D simulation was applied for assessing the effect of the check dams at the lower part of the gully, and 2D simulation was applied for the effect of the drainage channel and deposition basin on the alluvial fan. The simulation results indicate that debris flow will cause great damage to residential area on the alluvial fan if mitigation measures were not implemented in the gully. For old dams which have been filled up with deposits of previous debris flows, the results show that they still have the function for controlling debris flow due to the gradient reduction of the channel bed in front of the dams by the trapped debris flow deposition. After the comprehensive control of debris flow including trapping, drainage, and deposition in the gully, the simulation results indicate that the risk on the alluvial fan can be reduced to an acceptable level.     

煤层流变研究现状及发展趋势

近些年来,岩石流变已成为大陆岩石圈研究的前沿和热点之一,受到国内外越来越多的科学家的重视。由于浅、表岩石圈层中煤岩是含气、含水的多相介质有机岩,具有低杨氏模量和高泊松比的岩石力学性质,因此其流变行为与无机岩类存在很大的差异。当前,国内研究者主要通过在天然条件下的煤层流变不同尺度的观测,并进行高温高压变形实验与天然条件下煤岩流变的对比研究,用以阐明煤层流变的特征;通过观测、实验与模拟分析,获取流变参数,探讨煤层流变过程,建立流变模式,进而揭示煤层流变的机理与制约因素。在分析国内外煤层流变研究现状的基础之上,探讨了煤层流变研究存在的问题及今后的发展趋势。并认为对煤层流变的研究既可进一步丰富和发展对地球层圈构造和地球物质流动的认识,也可为煤层的合理开采、煤层气勘探开发与煤矿瓦斯突出防治提供科学依据．     

Assessing debris flow hazards associated with slow moving landslides: methodology and numerical analyses

Clayey slow-moving landslides are characterized by their capability to suddenly change behaviour and release debris-flows. Due to their sediment volume and their high mobility, they are far more dangerous than those resulting from continuous erosive processes and associated potential high hazard magnitude on alluvial fans. A case of transformation from earthflow to debris-flow is presented. An approach combining geomorphology, geotechnics, rheology and numerical analysis is adopted. Results show a very good agreement between the yield stress values measured by laboratory tests, in the field according to the morphology of the levees, and by back-analyses using the debris-flow modelling code, Bing. The runout distances and the deposit thickness in the depositional area are also well reproduced. This allows proposing debris-flow risk scenarios. Results show that clayey earthflows can transform under 5-years return period rainfall conditions into 1 km runout debris-flows of volumes ranging between 2,000 to 5,000 m³.     

分形褶皱复杂性的流变因素研究

根据Ramberg的纵弯褶皱粘性力学实验,在褶皱形态的分形分析基础上,利用分形理论和褶皱的流变学理论导出了褶皱的分数维(D)与岩层厚度(h)和粘度(μ)间的关系式,并探讨了褶皱复杂性对褶皱分数维的影响,从中获得有关复杂褶皱的流变学信息。影响分形褶皱复杂程度的因素很多,主要因素包括岩层的厚度和粘度。因此,对褶皱的分形测量和岩层厚度及粘度的分析,可以定量分析分形褶皱形成的流变机理。这一研究是褶皱的非线性流变学理论研究的一个尝试。     

A preliminary history of Holocene colluvial (debris-flow) activity,Leirdalen, Jotunheimen,Norway

A stratigraphic succession of alternating peat and minerogenic sediments at the foot of a steep mountain slope provides the basis for the reconstruction of a preliminary colluvial history from the alpine zone of Jotunheimen, southern Norway. Layers of silty sand and sandy silt, typically 5–10 cm thick and interpreted as distal debris-flow facies, are separated by layers of peat that have been radiocarbon dated. Deposition from at least 7500 to about 3800 ¹⁴C yr BP of predominantly minerogenic material suggests relatively infrequent but large-magnitude debris-flow events in an environment warmer and/or drier than today. Particularly low colluvial activity between about 6500 and 3900 ¹⁴C yr BP was terminated by a succession of major debris-flow events between about 3800 and 3400 ¹⁴C yr BP. Unhumified peats indicative of higher water tables, separate six debris-flows that occurred between about 3300 and 2300 ¹⁴C yr BP and signify a continuing high frequency of colluvial activity. Uninterrupted peat accumulation between about 2400 and 1600 ¹⁴C yr BP indicates reduced debris-flow activity; subsequent renewed activity appears to have culuminated in the ‘Little Ice Age’ after about 600 ¹⁴C yr BP. This pattern of colluvial deposition demonstrates a long history of natural Holocene low-alpine landscape instability, suggests an increase first in the magnitude and then in the frequency of debris-flow activity coincident with late Holocene climatic deterioration, and points to the potential of debris-flow records as a unique source of palaeoclimatic information related to extreme rainfall events. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.