Characteristics of landslide-debris flow accumulation in mountainous areas

• Main Authors: Zhang Qing-zhao, Pan Qing, Chen Ying, Luo Ze-jun, Shi Zhen-ming, Zhou Yuan-yuan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2019-09-01
• Series: Heliyon
• Subjects: Natural hazards; Structural engineering; Mechanics; Landslide-debris; Accumulation form; Particle distribution
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844019361237

Landslide-debris flow is a sudden geological hazard in mountain areas, which is characterized with large scale, fast speed and wide impact range, and often causes disastrous accidents. In this study, an indoor sliding chute test was used to study the movement process of the landslide-debris flow and its accumulation pattern in the valley, taking into account the initiated gradient and particle size distribution. Besides, the model test was reproduced by PFC and the numerical models were constructed to fit the actual situation of landslide-debris flow. The results show that the collision of particles occurs during the movement of landslide-debris flow, and obvious sorting phenomena occur in the final deposit. Coarse particles distribute in the front and surface of the deposit while fine particles distribute in the back and bottom. The initiated angle has a certain effect on the morphology of the deposit: larger initiated angle makes the deposit closer to the opposite bank of the valley. Particle gradation has a significant impact on the form and distribution of deposit as well, with the increase of the proportion of coarse particles, the deposit of fine particles shrinks to the center of the rear edge, the profile of the deposit is more flat and uneven, the deposit is closer to the opposite bank of the valley, and the angle of the deposit profile increases significantly.