A model for simulation of debris flow sedimentation in slit detention-dam reservoirs

Abstract

Debris flow is a natural phenomenon that requires appropriate structural measures such as detention dams to reduce hazards resulting from it. The objective of this paper is to present a two-dimensional numerical model to investigate debris flow deposition in the reservoir of the detention slit dams. The governing equations include shallow water equations considering the bed level variation, sediment continuity, and debris-flow transport equations. Shallow water equations were discretized using the MacCormack scheme and then Banihabib Scheme was applied for solving sediment continuity equation. The governing equations were solved in an iterative procedure and as a result, flow properties and bed level variations were obtained in silt dam reservoir. The model performance was evaluated against experimental and numerical models in two aspects including the outflow hydrograph and reservoir bed level variations or trapping efficiency. The model performed quite well in outflow hydrograph simulation, and the comparison of the bed level variations or trapping efficiency illustrated that the simulated values were acceptable. A sensitivity analysis of the parameters was carried out to analyze the influence of parameters variation on outflow and sedimentation volume. The results of this sensitivity analysis revealed sedimentation is more sensitive to the parameter variation than outflow hydrograph. Generally, the proposed numerical method can provide insights on the debris flow deposition in slit dam reservoir, which could be useful for slit dam design.