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A novel approach to simulating debris flow runout via a three-dimensional CFD code: a case study of Xiaojia Gully

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Abstract

Extensive models used in debris flow runout simulations are two-dimensional with many limitations. Considering these limitations, a new three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code based on the finite difference method (FDM) was introduced to simulate debris flow runouts. The unique fractional area-volume obstacle representation (FAVOR), true-volume of fluid (Tru-VOF), and the renormalized group (RNG) model in the 3D CFD code were used to tackle mesh processing, free surface tracking, and turbulence, respectively. The RNG model has great performance in describing low-intensity flows and flows with strong shear regions. In addition, the 3D CFD modeling considers the vertical mobility of debris flow, which offers higher simulation accuracy compared to 2D approaches. Through simulating a case and a mesh size study, the accuracy of the model was validated and the optimal mesh size of Xiaojia Gully debris flow model was obtained, respectively. The affected areas, runout distances, deposition depths, and velocities of potential debris flows in Xiaojia Gully were acquired by adopting the present model. The simulation results show that debris flows with return periods of 50 years, 100 years, and 200 years will threaten the lives and safety of residents and their property in Xiaojia Gully. A sensitivity analysis was used to evaluate the influences of rheological parameters on this model, further verifying the rationality of the selected parameters. In general, the present model can scientifically and accurately simulate debris flows on irregular terrain and can be employed for similar risk management and engineering designs.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the CFD software FLOW-3D which provides a good platform for us to investigate the numerical simulation of debris flow runout. The authors would like to thank the editor and anonymous reviewers for their comments and suggestions which helped a lot in making this paper better.

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science of China (Grant No. U1702241, 41941017) and the National Key Research and Development Plan (Grant No. 2018YFC1505301).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Construction Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130026, China

    Yansong Zhang, Jianping Chen, Jianhua Yan & Qaiser Mehmood

  2. China Water Northeastern Investigation, Design and Research Co., Ltd,, Changchun, Jilin, 130026, China

    Chun Tan

  3. North China Power Engineering Co., Ltd. of China Power Engineering Consulting Group, Changchun, Jilin, 130000, China

    Chun Tan

  4. Key Laboratory of Mountain Hazards and Earth Surface Process/Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), No. 9, Block 4, South Renmin Road, Chengdu, 610041, China

    Yiding Bao

  5. Center for Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, CGS, Baoding, 071501, China

    Xudong Han

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  1. Yansong Zhang
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Correspondence to Jianping Chen.

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Zhang, Y., Chen, J., Tan, C. et al. A novel approach to simulating debris flow runout via a three-dimensional CFD code: a case study of Xiaojia Gully. Bull Eng Geol Environ 80, 5293–5313 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-021-02270-x

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