Estimation of lahar and lahar-runout flow hydrograph on natural beds

A numerical model is used to simulate channelized lahars, flowing with a near-constant sediment concentration and volume. Water and debris are usually mobilized in short times and the peak discharge of lahars may reach many thousands of cubic meters per second in a few minutes. A relation for the energy dissipation term must be provided in the model, which in turn depends on debris flow rheology and shape and status of channel bed. A discussion of the form of this term is performed through the simulation of some historical (among the well-documented) lahars and lahar-runout flows with concentrations ranging in a wide spectrum up to 70 percent by volume and irregularly shaped sand and coarser particles dispersed in a fluid matrix of water and fine material. As concentration increases and turbulence decreases, the dissipative term, which, in the first case, is proportional to the square average flow velocity (Manning or Chezy formulation) is well described by a linear dependence on flow velocity, as expected in the laminar case. The numerical reproduction of the examined historical cases suggests that the model can be used for hazard assessment, if some hypotheses are made about lahar hydrograph at the source, its volume, and the shape of the dissipative term.     

Debris flow hazard assessment with numerical simulation

Debris flow disasters are usually accompanied by serious loss of lives and properties. However, debris flows are also part of earth’s natural phenomenon, and so what is the reasonable budget to be spent on mitigation measures becomes an important issue for the budget allocation processes. This article utilizes economic concepts to propose a reasonable estimation of the hazard damage and the cost of proposed mitigation measures. The proposed method is composed of four steps, namely, delineating the area of the disaster with different return periods, itemizing the land use within those areas, calculating the hazard loss using official values, and computing the expected probable maximum loss with a probability distribution. The comparison between the assessment of hazard and the economic gains of any proposed mitigation measures can be used as a reference for future decision-making process.     

Experimental evidences and numerical modelling of debris flow initiated by channel runoff

Debris flow initiation by channel bed mobilization is a common process in high mountainous areas. Initiation is more likely to occur at the outlet of small, steeply sloping basins where concentrated overland flow feeds an ephemeral channel incised in slope deposits. Such geological conditions are typical of the Dolomite region (Italian Alps), which is characterized by widespread debris flow activity triggered by severe summer thunderstorms. Real-time data and field observations for one of these catchments (Acquabona catchment, Belluno, Italian Alps) were used to characterize the hydrological response of the initiation area to rainfalls of varying intensity and duration. The observed behaviour was then reproduced by means of a simple hydrological model, based on the kinematic wave assumption, to simulate the generation of channel runoff. The model is capable of predicting the observed hydrological response for a wide range of rainfall impulses, thus providing a physical basis for the understanding of the debris flow triggering threshold.     

Mechanical controls on fluid flow during regional metamorphism: some numerical models

The control of fluid flow by plastic deformation during metamorphism is critical to our understanding of metamorphic processes. Various geological observations and field studies demonstrate the consequences of fluid flow control by deformation, so that the concept appears to be accepted, at least for small-scale PUBLIC (for example faults and vein PUBLIC). However, the concept appears to be less well recognized at regional scales. Considered here are examples of simple, conceptual models based on fully coupled mechanical–fluid flow concepts; they include deformation of a section of fluid-saturated crust containing a block or a layer of material of different properties from its surrounds. In particular, rheological and permeability contrasts between rock types during deformation associated with regional metamorphism are sufficient to control the form of fluid flow over the range of a few kilometres. Low contrasts and small strains allow pervasive fluid flow, whereas greater contrasts and increasing strains cause focusing of the flow. Such focusing is generally associated with localization of the deformation, especially for a strongly dilatant elastic–plastic material. However, a rate of fluid flow much greater than the rate of deformation may result in pervasive flow, although for most models pervasive flow is difficult to attain over regional distances. Furthermore, lateral and downward fluid flow may occur, demonstrated here by simple models for folding and for deformation of regions containing plutons. Therefore, such modelling may be used as a means of testing the various hypotheses concerning the volumes of fluid predicted to have passed through some rock volumes. Numerical models of the future will become increasingly complex and powerful, allowing greater coupling of thermal, mechanical, chemical and fluid flow effects, and based more on the physical processes involved. Combined field and laboratory studies will provide correspondingly greater understanding and will permit the determination of the timing of fluid flow and structural controls on fluid flow patterns.     

Thresholds of intrabed flow and other interactions of turbidity currents with soft muddy substrates

Controlled laboratory experiments reveal that the lower part of turbidity currents has the ability to enter fluid mud substrates, if the bed shear stress is higher than the yield stress of the fluid mud and the density of the turbidity current is higher than the density of the substrate. Upon entering the substrate, the turbidity current either induces mixing between flow‐derived sediment and substrate sediment, or it forms a stable horizontal flow front inside the fluid mud. Such ‘intrabed’ flow is surrounded by plastically deformed mud; otherwise it resembles the front of a ‘bottom‐hugging’ turbidity current. The ‘suprabed’ portion of the turbidity current, i.e. the upper part of the flow that does not enter the substrate, is typically separated from the intrabed flow by a long horizontal layer of mud which originates from the mud that is swept over the top of the intrabed flow and then incorporated into the flow. The intrabed flow and the mixing mechanism are specific types of interaction between turbidity currents and muddy substrates that are part of a larger group of interactions, which also include bypass, deposition, erosion and soft sediment deformation. A classification scheme for these types of interactions is proposed, based on an excess bed shear stress parameter, which includes the difference in the bed shear stress imposed by the flow and the yield stress of the substrate and an excess density parameter, which relies on the density difference between the flow and the substrate. Based on this classification scheme, as well as on the sedimentological properties of the laboratory deposits, an existing facies model for intrabed turbidites is extended to the other types of interaction involving soft muddy substrates. The physical threshold of flow‐substrate mixing versus stable intrabed flow is defined using the gradient Richardson number, and this method is validated successfully with the laboratory data. The gradient Richardson number is also used to verify that stable intrabed flow is possible in natural turbidity currents, and to determine under which conditions intrabed flow is likely to be unstable. It appears that intrabed flow is likely only in natural turbidity currents with flow velocities well below ca 3·5 m s^?1, although a wider range of flows is capable of entering fluid muds. Below this threshold velocity, intrabed flow is stable only at high‐density gradients and low‐velocity gradients across the upper boundary of the turbidity current. Finally, the gradient Richardson number is used as a scaling parameter to set the flow velocity limits of a natural turbidity current that formed an inferred intrabed turbidite in the deep‐marine Aberystwyth Grits Group, West Wales, United Kingdom.     

基于熵权-正态云模型的泥石流灾害易发性评价

近年来,由于极端天气事件频发和工程建设活动加剧,泥石流灾害对人类的威胁愈加严峻。因此,在综合分析泥石流灾害发育特征及形成机理的基础上,进行泥石流灾害易发性评价对防灾减灾工程活动具有指导意义。选取沟谷岸坡坡度、沟床纵坡比降、植被覆盖率、单位面积固体物源储量、汇水面积、雨季降雨量建立评价指标体系,采用熵权法确定评价指标权重,将泥石流灾害易发性分为高易发、中易发、低易发和不易发四级,建立基于正态云模型的泥石流灾害易发性评价方法,并以西秦岭地区5条泥石流沟为例验证了该评价模型的合理性。进一步将该模型用于陕西吴堡井沟泥石流灾害易发性评价,结果表明井沟泥石流具有中易发性,评价结果与实际相符。     

Experimental study on rheologic behaviour of debris flow material

In order to describe the flow behaviour of debris flows often rheologic models are used. This study introduces two novel facilities to determine rheologic parameters of different models for debris flow material mixtures containing grain sizes larger than to be measured in standard viscometers. The diameter of the vertically rotating flume (VRF) is 2.5 m, the rectangular cross section has a width of 0.45 m, and the maximum rotational speed is around 30 revolutions per minute, corresponding to a mean speed of the examined mixture of ∼4 m/s. From the measured flow parameters total boundary shear stress and corresponding shear rate of the flowing mixture are derived. The ball measuring system (BMS) consists of a sphere that is dragged at specific speeds across a sample of 0.5 l volume with the help of a small sphere holder. Accordingly torques due to drag exerted on the sphere and its holder as well as corresponding speeds are measured and transformed into values of shear stress and shear rate based on the method of Metzner and Otto. Material taken from fresh debris flow deposits in Eastern Switzerland have been investigated with both facilities. We present results from experiments involving mixtures with different sediment concentrations and with grain sizes up to 5 mm. Although estimated from completely different approaches the rheologic parameters of the independent measurements are generally in reasonable agreement.     

A numerical simulation of debris flow and its application

Debris flow is the flow of solid-fluid mixture and was treated as the flow of a continuum in routing in this study. A mathematical model was proposed to describe debris flow including deposition process and then solved numerically with suitable boundary conditions. Laboratory experiments were also conducted for comparison and calibration of the numerical results as well as for investigation of debris flow phenomena. The numerical model was also applied to simulate the debris flow caused by heavy rainfall in Tungman village of Hualien County located in the east of Taiwan on 23 June 1990. The simulated bed topographies in alluvial fan were in good agreement with those obtained from laboratory experiments and field observations.     

A geotechnical investigation of the retrogressive Yaka Landslide and the debris flow threatening the town of Yaka (Isparta,SW Turkey)

In this study the factors affecting the retrogressive Yaka Landslide, its mechanism and the hazard of debris flow on the town of Yaka are investigated. In the landslide area, the first landslide was small and occurred in March 2006 on the lower part of the Alaard?ç Slope near the Gelendost District town of Yaka (Isparta, SW Turkey). The second, the Yaka Landslide, was large and occurred on 19 February 2007 in the soil-like marl on the central part of Alaard?ç Slope. The geometry of the failure surface was circular and the depth of the failure surface was about 3 m. Following the landslide, a 85,800 m³ of displaced material transformed to a debris flow. Then, the debris flow moved down the Eglence Valley, traveling a total distance of about 750 m. The town of Yaka is located 1,600 m downstream of Eglence Creek and hence poses a considerable risk of debris flow, should the creek be temporarily dammed as a result of further mass movement. Material from the debris accumulation has been deposited on the base of Eglence Valley and has formed a debris-dam lake behind a debris dam. Trees, agricultural areas, and weirs in the Eglence Creek have seen serious damage resulting from the debris flow. The slope angle, slope aspect and elevation of the area in this study were generated using a GIS-based digital elevation model (DEM). The stability of the Alaard?ç Slope was assessed using limit equilibrium analysis with undrained peak and residual shear strength parameters. In the stability analyses, laboratory test results performed on the soil-like marls were used. It was determined that the Alaard?ç Slope is found to be stable under dry conditions and unstable under completely saturated conditions. The Alaard?ç Slope and its vicinity is a paleolandslide area, and there the factor of safety for sliding was found to be about 1.0 under saturated conditions. The Alaard?ç Slope and the deposited earthen materials in Eglence Creek could easily be triggered into movement by any factors or combination of factors, such as prolonged or heavy rainfall, snowmelt or an earthquake. It was established that the depth of the debris flow initiated on the Yaka Landslide reached up to 8 m in Eglence Creek at the point it is 20 m wide. If this deposited material in Eglence Creek is set into motion, the canal that passes through Yaka, with its respective width and depth of 7 and 1.45 m, could not possibly discharge the flow. The destruction or spillover of this canal in Yaka could bring catastrophic loss to residents which are located within 3–5 m of the bank of the canal. Furthermore, if material present in the landslide source area slides and this displaced material puts pressure on the unstable deposited material in Eglence Creek, even more catastrophic loss would occur to the town of Yaka. In this study, it was determined that debris flows are still a major hazard to Yaka and its population of 3,000. The results provided in this study could help citizens, planners, and engineers to reduce losses caused by existing and future landslides and debris flow in rainfall and snowmelt conditions by means of prevention and mitigation.     

The knowledge rules of debris flow event: A case study for investigation Chen Yu Lan River, Taiwan

Debris flow, one of the most active hydrological processes, brings about a great loss of life and properties in the Chen Yu Lan River area, Nan-Tou County, Taiwan. The goal of this study is to manage and monitor the debris flows in a vast area. Thus, the strategy is to collect hydraulical and in-situ data easily and quickly through our spatial information system. Then, a novel Data Mining technique will be developed to find a rule-based knowledge system of debris flow. The entire study can be divided into two parts. In the first part, using spatial information the debris flow image is extracted from the outbreak area. The system provides precise positional information pertaining to the debris flow events. Attributes such as effective watershed area, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and slope are automatically obtained from the system. In the second part of this study, K-mean theory is used to classify the observed hydraulical and in-situ data into different categories. Then, the ‘Effective Rough Set’ method is successfully used to analyze the factors influencing the debris flow phenomenon and delivers rational knowledge rules. The contribution of this study is presented that NDVI, slope and effective watershed area are the major factors influencing debris flow in the study area. The knowledge rules can provide better understanding on the elevation of high potential debris catchments.     

渗流-水平井流耦合数学模型和数值模拟

在有侧向流入(流出)的水平井流运动和连续性方程的基础上,建立了渗流与水平井流耦合数学模型,主要针对混合水头损失问题,进行了渗流与水平井流耦合数值计算,分析了常用的摩擦系数修正方法对计算结果的影响。数值模拟计算表明:层流或者光滑紊流流态时,不同的摩擦系数修正方法对结果影响较小;粗糙紊流流态时,不同的摩擦系数修正方法对结果影响较大。当水平井流是层流-光滑紊流流态时,使用了一种新的流态分界点识别方法对水平井流态进行判断,计算结果证实了方法的可靠性、合理性。     

A mathematical and numerical model for reactive fluid flow systems

We formulate mathematical and numerical models for multispecies, multi-phase and non-isothermal reactive fluid flow in porous media focusing on the chemical reactions and the transport of solutes. Mass conservation and stability in the time integration are emphasized. We use cell-centered finite volume differencing in space and an implicit Runge-Kutta method in time. Assuming two space dimensions, we introduce flux approximation for arbitrarily shaped convex quadrilaterals. On equidistant and variable sized rectangular grids we choose limited κ= related schemes to approximate the advective flux and the central difference scheme for the diffusive flux. On non-rectangular grids we recommend the VF9 scheme for the estimation of the diffusive flux. Our model exists as a code. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Extension of numerical manifold method for coupled fluid flow and fracturing problems

The present study extends the numerical manifold method to include the hydro‐mechanical model to investigate the effect of water flow in fractures on the stability of rock structures, particularly slopes. The proposed flow model is verified by a simple 2‐D flow problem in a homogeneous aquifer. Combining the water flow model with the earlier developed fracture evolution technique, the entire failure process of the rock slope due to a heavy rain is simulated. The results illustrate that the developed numerical manifold method can not only determine the trigger factor of the crack initiation but also model the failure processes related to crack initiation, propagation, block formation, detachment and sliding due to the water effect successfully. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Passage of debris flows and turbidity currents through a topographic constriction: seafloor erosion and deflection of flow pathways

Some of the Earth's largest submarine debris flows are found on the NW African margin. These debris flows are highly efficient, spreading hundreds of cubic kilometres of sediment over a wide area of the continental rise where slopes angles are often <1°. However, the processes by which these debris flows achieve such long run‐outs, affecting tens of thousands of square kilometres of seafloor, are poorly understood. The Saharan debris flow has a run‐out of ≈700 km, making it one of the longest debris flows on Earth. For its distal 450 km, it is underlain by a relatively thin and highly sheared basal volcaniclastic layer, which may have provided the low‐friction conditions that enabled its extraordinarily long run‐out. Between El Hierro Island and the Hijas Seamount on the continental rise, an ≈25‐ to 40‐km‐wide topographic gap is present, through which the Saharan debris flow and turbidites from the continental margin and flanks of the Canary Islands passed. Recently, the first deep‐towed sonar images have been obtained, showing dramatic erosional and depositional processes operating within this topographic `gap' or `constriction'. These images show evidence for the passage of the Saharan debris flow and highly erosive turbidity currents, including the largest comet marks reported from the deep ocean. Sonar data and a seismic reflection profile obtained 70 km to the east, upslope of the topographic `gap', indicate that seafloor sediments to a depth of ≈30 m have been eroded by the Saharan debris flow to form the basal volcaniclastic layer. Within the topographic `gap', the Saharan debris flow appears to have been deflected by a low (≈20 m) topographic ridge, whereas turbidity currents predating the debris flow appear to have overtopped the ridge. This evidence suggests that, as turbidity currents passed into the topographic constriction, they experienced flow acceleration and, as a result, became highly erosive. Such observations have implications for the mechanics of long run‐out debris flows and turbidity currents elsewhere in the deep sea, in particular how such large‐scale flows erode the substrate and interact with seafloor topography.     

Faulting and fluid flow in porous rocks and sediments: implications for mineralisation and other processes

Faults in sedimentary rocks can act as fluid pathways or barriers to flow and display a range of deformation styles. These features can be explained by behaviours observed in deformation experiments on sedimentary rocks that reveal a transition from dilatant brittle faulting and permeability enhancement to cataclasis and permeability reduction, with increasing porosity, grain size and confining pressure. This transition implies that faults in sedimentary rocks are unlikely to act as fluid pathways shallower than ~3 km, unless the sediments have undergone early cementation, or have been exposed following burial and uplift. This has important implications for many geological processes, including fluid circulation in geothermal systems, formation of sediment-hosted mineral deposits and earthquakes in subduction zones. Stratiform Zn–Pb deposits that have been interpreted as syngenetic, seafloor deposits could instead be interpreted as early epigenetic deposits representing the depth at which faults change from fluid pathways to barriers.     

Morphological methods and dynamic modelling in landslide hazard assessment of the Campania Apennine carbonate slope

Landslide risk of the Campanian carbonate slopes covered by pyroclastic deposits is mainly connected with the occurrence of high-velocity debris avalanches and debris flows. Analyses show that flows initiate as small translational slides in the pyroclastics. The failure process is controlled by the interaction of both natural and human-induced factors. Geomorphological settings play a decisive role in locating the source failures. Therefore, the crucial aspects in landslide hazard and risk assessment are: (a) recognise the geomorphological control factors, (b) determine parameters defining landslide intensity (velocity, volume, depth of deposit) and (c) predict landslide runout distance. An approach combining geomorphology and numerical analysis has been adopted in the work reported here. Potential future landslide intensity scenarios are simulated predicting the runout behaviour of potential instabilities by using a dynamic model previously calibrated by back-analysing observed events of similar scale and type. The selected area is a sector of the Avella Mountains having the same geomorphological environment as the 1998 Sarno landslides (Campania, Southern Italy).     

广西北山岩溶管道—裂隙—孔隙地下水流数值模拟初探

本文从水动力学角度分析各种岩溶含水介质中的水流特征,将其归纳为储水介质、导水介质和控水介质,并根据折算渗透系数ＫＬ的概念和建立耦合达西流和百达西流于一体的岩溶管道－裂隙－孔隙三重介质地下水模型,对广西环江北山矿区岩溶含水系统进行了初步探讨。北山实例的模拟结果表明,三重介质模型较全面地刻画了岩溶水动态的特征,反映了相对均匀裂隙流与控制性管道流并存、线性流与非线性流相互转变的运动特点,不仅理论上比较合     

基于多松弛格子玻尔兹曼的弯道水流三维数值模拟

为研究弯道水流现象并且拓展格子玻尔兹曼(Lattice Boltzmann Method,LBM)在水利工程领域的应用,建立了弯道水流的三维多松弛LBM演进模型,其中包括水流自由表面模拟、弯曲固壁边界处理以及紊流模型耦合求解等关键技术。应用该模型模拟研究了不同流量下U型弯道的水流状态,得到了水位、最大水深平均流速以及紊动能等参数的分布规律。分析和实践表明,该模型能较好地模拟三维弯道水流现象。     

The Zymoetz River landslide, British Columbia, Canada: description and dynamic analysis of a rock slide–debris flow

The Zymoetz River landslide is a recent example of an extremely mobile type of landslide known as a rock slide–debris flow. It began as a failure of 900,000 m³ of bedrock, which mobilized an additional 500,000 m³ of surficial material in its path, transforming into a large debris flow that traveled over 4 km from its source. Seasonal snow and meltwater in the proximal part of the path were important factors. A recently developed dynamic model that accounts for material entrainment, DAN3D, was used to back-analyze this event. The two distinct phases of motion were modeled using different basal rheologies: a frictional model in the proximal path and a Voellmy model in the distal path, following the initiation of significant entrainment. Very good agreement between the observed and simulated results was achieved, suggesting that entrainment capabilities are essential for the successful simulation of this type of landslide.     

Late-Variscan fluid migration at the Variscan thrust front of Eastern Belgium: numerical modelling of the palaeothermal and fluid flow field

Modelling of the palaeothermal field at the Variscan thrust front in eastern Belgium indicates significant temperature modifications by late-Variscan palaeofluids migrating from internal to peripheral parts of the orogen. A detailed set of calibration data (chlorite geothermometry, microthermometry, organic rank) gives evidence of temporary palaeotemperature variations at the Variscan thrust front obviously connected to the migration of hot, low saline palaeofluids. These thermal events likely enhanced organic maturation (vitrinite reflectance, conodont alteration) of Devonian and Carboniferous sediments, which accumulated long before the Variscan orogeny occurred. Numerical simulation (2D Finite Element method) of the palaeothermal field includes coupled heat transport by thermal conduction and fluid flow. Palaeothermal scenarios yield successive palaeotemperatures (200–300°C), which are indicated by the control data, due to relatively short-term fluid ascent along the detachment and the imbricate thrust front. The simulated flow velocities are up to tens of metre per year lasting several thousand years (non-steady-state solution). In the scenarios modelled, these thermal events occur in a realm of enhanced bulk temperatures due to elevated basal heat flow densities (90 mW m⁻²) and an additional burial depth of some kilometres. The simulated temperature enhancement due to fluids ascending at the Variscan thrust front is several tens degrees. The scenarios demonstrate long-distance fluid migration during or after deformation of the Palaeozoic basin and its effect on the palaeothermal field.