Some Considerations for Using Numerical Methods to Simulate Possible Debris Flows: The Case of the 2013 and 2020 Wayao Debris Flows (Sichuan, China)

Using a numerical simulation method based on physical equations to obtain the debris flow risk range is important for local-scale debris flow risk assessment. While many debris flow models have been used to reproduce processes after debris flow occurrence, their predictability in potentially catastr...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Xianzheng Zhang, Chenxiao Tang, Yajie Yu, Chuan Tang, Ning Li, Jiang Xiong, Ming Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-03-01
Series:Water
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/14/7/1050
_version_ 1797437485947551744
author Xianzheng Zhang
Chenxiao Tang
Yajie Yu
Chuan Tang
Ning Li
Jiang Xiong
Ming Chen
author_facet Xianzheng Zhang
Chenxiao Tang
Yajie Yu
Chuan Tang
Ning Li
Jiang Xiong
Ming Chen
author_sort Xianzheng Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Using a numerical simulation method based on physical equations to obtain the debris flow risk range is important for local-scale debris flow risk assessment. While many debris flow models have been used to reproduce processes after debris flow occurrence, their predictability in potentially catastrophic debris flow scenarios has mostly not been evaluated in detail. Two single-phase flow models and two two-phase models were used to reproduce the Wayao debris flow event in 2013. Then the Wayao debris flow event in 2020 was predicted by the four models with the same parameters in 2013. The depth distributions of the debris source and deposition fan were mapped by visual interpretation, electric resistivity surveys, field measurements, and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) surveys. The digital elevation model (DEM), rainfall data, and other simulation parameters were collected. These models can reproduce the geometry and thickness distribution of the debris flow fan in 2013. However, the predictions of the runout range and the deposition depth are quite different from the actuality in 2020. The performance and usability of these models are compared and discussed. This could provide a reference for selecting physical models to assess debris-flow risk.
first_indexed 2024-03-09T11:20:01Z
format Article
id doaj.art-3462b2c0bad74503ba89b22d6f977163
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2073-4441
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-09T11:20:01Z
publishDate 2022-03-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Water
spelling doaj.art-3462b2c0bad74503ba89b22d6f9771632023-12-01T00:19:16ZengMDPI AGWater2073-44412022-03-01147105010.3390/w14071050Some Considerations for Using Numerical Methods to Simulate Possible Debris Flows: The Case of the 2013 and 2020 Wayao Debris Flows (Sichuan, China)Xianzheng Zhang0Chenxiao Tang1Yajie Yu2Chuan Tang3Ning Li4Jiang Xiong5Ming Chen6State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, ChinaKey Laboratory of Mountain Surface Process and Hazards, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, ChinaThe Second Institute of Surveying and Mapping, Department of Natural Resources of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang 050000, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, ChinaSchool of Emergency Science, Xihua University, Chengdu 610039, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, ChinaUsing a numerical simulation method based on physical equations to obtain the debris flow risk range is important for local-scale debris flow risk assessment. While many debris flow models have been used to reproduce processes after debris flow occurrence, their predictability in potentially catastrophic debris flow scenarios has mostly not been evaluated in detail. Two single-phase flow models and two two-phase models were used to reproduce the Wayao debris flow event in 2013. Then the Wayao debris flow event in 2020 was predicted by the four models with the same parameters in 2013. The depth distributions of the debris source and deposition fan were mapped by visual interpretation, electric resistivity surveys, field measurements, and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) surveys. The digital elevation model (DEM), rainfall data, and other simulation parameters were collected. These models can reproduce the geometry and thickness distribution of the debris flow fan in 2013. However, the predictions of the runout range and the deposition depth are quite different from the actuality in 2020. The performance and usability of these models are compared and discussed. This could provide a reference for selecting physical models to assess debris-flow risk.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/14/7/1050debris flownumerical modelingrisk assessmentsingle-phase modelstwo-phase models
spellingShingle Xianzheng Zhang
Chenxiao Tang
Yajie Yu
Chuan Tang
Ning Li
Jiang Xiong
Ming Chen
Some Considerations for Using Numerical Methods to Simulate Possible Debris Flows: The Case of the 2013 and 2020 Wayao Debris Flows (Sichuan, China)
Water
debris flow
numerical modeling
risk assessment
single-phase models
two-phase models
title Some Considerations for Using Numerical Methods to Simulate Possible Debris Flows: The Case of the 2013 and 2020 Wayao Debris Flows (Sichuan, China)
title_full Some Considerations for Using Numerical Methods to Simulate Possible Debris Flows: The Case of the 2013 and 2020 Wayao Debris Flows (Sichuan, China)
title_fullStr Some Considerations for Using Numerical Methods to Simulate Possible Debris Flows: The Case of the 2013 and 2020 Wayao Debris Flows (Sichuan, China)
title_full_unstemmed Some Considerations for Using Numerical Methods to Simulate Possible Debris Flows: The Case of the 2013 and 2020 Wayao Debris Flows (Sichuan, China)
title_short Some Considerations for Using Numerical Methods to Simulate Possible Debris Flows: The Case of the 2013 and 2020 Wayao Debris Flows (Sichuan, China)
title_sort some considerations for using numerical methods to simulate possible debris flows the case of the 2013 and 2020 wayao debris flows sichuan china
topic debris flow
numerical modeling
risk assessment
single-phase models
two-phase models
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/14/7/1050
work_keys_str_mv AT xianzhengzhang someconsiderationsforusingnumericalmethodstosimulatepossibledebrisflowsthecaseofthe2013and2020wayaodebrisflowssichuanchina
AT chenxiaotang someconsiderationsforusingnumericalmethodstosimulatepossibledebrisflowsthecaseofthe2013and2020wayaodebrisflowssichuanchina
AT yajieyu someconsiderationsforusingnumericalmethodstosimulatepossibledebrisflowsthecaseofthe2013and2020wayaodebrisflowssichuanchina
AT chuantang someconsiderationsforusingnumericalmethodstosimulatepossibledebrisflowsthecaseofthe2013and2020wayaodebrisflowssichuanchina
AT ningli someconsiderationsforusingnumericalmethodstosimulatepossibledebrisflowsthecaseofthe2013and2020wayaodebrisflowssichuanchina
AT jiangxiong someconsiderationsforusingnumericalmethodstosimulatepossibledebrisflowsthecaseofthe2013and2020wayaodebrisflowssichuanchina
AT mingchen someconsiderationsforusingnumericalmethodstosimulatepossibledebrisflowsthecaseofthe2013and2020wayaodebrisflowssichuanchina