Experimental analysis for the dynamic initiation mechanism of debris flows

Debris flow is one of the major secondary mountain hazards following the earthquake. This study explores the dynamic initiation mechanism of debris flows based on the strength reduction of soils through static and dynamic triaxial tests. A series of static and dynamic triaxial tests were conducted on samples in the lab. The samples were prepared according to different grain size distribution, degree of saturation and earthquake magnitudes. The relations of dynamic shear strength, degree of saturation, and number of cycles are summarized through analyzing experimental results. The findings show that the gravelly soil with a wide and continuous gradation has a critical degree of saturation of approximately 87%, above which debris flows will be triggered by rainfall, while the debris flow will be triggered at a critical degree of saturation of about 73% under the effect of rainfall and earthquake(M>6.5). Debris flow initiation is developed in the humidification process, and the earthquake provides energy for triggering debris flows. Debris flows are more likely to be triggered at the relatively low saturation under dynamic loading than under static loading. The resistance of debris flow triggering relies more on internal frication angle than soil cohesion under the effect of rainfall and earthquake. The conclusions provide an experimental analysis method for dynamic initiation mechanism of debris flows.

Direct and noisy transitions in a model shear flow

The transition to turbulence in flows where the laminar profile is linearly stable requires perturbations of finite amplitude. ＂Optimal＂ perturbations are distinguished as extrema of certain functionals, and different functionals give different optima. We here discuss the phase space structure of a 2D simplified model of the transition to turbulence and discuss optimal perturbations with respect to three criteria： energy of the initial condition, energy dissipation of the initial condition, and amplitude of noise in a stochastic transition. We find that the states triggering the transition are different in the three cases, but show the same scaling with Reynolds number.

Experimental study on the moving characteristics of fine grains in wide grading unconsolidated soil under heavy rainfall

The initiation mechanism of debris flow is regarded as the key step in understanding the debrisflow processes of occurrence, development and damage. Moreover, migration, accumulation and blocking effects of fine particles in soil will lead to soil failure and then develop into debris flow. Based on this hypothesis and considering the three factors of slope gradient, rainfall duration and rainfall intensity, 16 flume experiments were designed using the method of orthogonal design and completed in a laboratory. Particle composition changes in slope toe, volumetric water content, fine particle movement characteristics and soil failure mechanism were analyzed and understood as follows: the soil has complex, random and unstable structures, which causes remarkable pore characteristics of poor connectivity, non-uniformity and easy variation. The major factors that influence fine particle migration are rainfall intensity and slope. Rainfall intensity dominates particle movement, whereby high intensity rainfall induces a large number of mass movement and sharp fluctuation, causing more fine particles to accumulate at the steep slope toe. The slope toe plays an important role in water collection and fine particleaccumulation. Both fine particle migration and coarse particle movement appears similar fluctuation. Fine particle migration is interrupted in unconnected pores, causing pore blockage and fine particle accumulation, which then leads to the formation of a weak layer and further soil failure or collapses. Fine particle movement also causes debris flow formation in two ways: movement on the soil surface and migration inside the soil. The results verify the hypothesis that the function of fine particle migration in soil failure process is conducive for further understanding the formation mechanism of soil failure and debris flow initiation.

Experimental hydrodynamic study of the Qiantang River tidal bore

To study the hydrodynamics of tidal bore, a physical modeling study is carried out in a rectangular flume with considera- tions of the tidal bore heights, the propagation speeds, the tidal current velocities, the front steepness, and the bore shapes. After the validation with the field observations, the experimental results are analyzed, and it is shown that： （1） the greater initial ebb velocity or the larger initial water depth impedes the tidal bore propagation, （2） the maximum bore height appears at an initial ebb velocity in the range of 0.5 m/s-l.5 m/s. （3） when the Froude number exceeds 1.2, an undular bore appears, atter it exceeds 1.3, a breaking bore occurs, and after it exceeds 1.7, the bore is broken.