Simulating debris flow mobility in urban settings
Citation
Gao, L., Zhang, L.M., Chen, H.X., Shen, P. (2016). Simulating debris flow mobility in urban settings. Engineering Geology, 214: 67-78. Link to paper
Abstract
This paper presents a debris-flow simulation framework tailored to urban settings, accounting for building blockage, surface heterogeneity, erosion, and deposition processes. The model is based on shallow-water-type governing equations and is implemented on a high-resolution DEM with spatially varying bed-material parameters. The approach is calibrated and evaluated against two historical debris-flow events on Hong Kong Island. Scenario simulations show that buildings can increase peak flow depth and velocity through run-up and flow-path constriction, while entrainment from underlying surface materials significantly intensifies debris-flow magnitude and expands affected areas. The study demonstrates the importance of explicitly incorporating urban geomaterials and built-environment effects in mobility and impact assessment.