A rational method for estimating maximum discharge of a landslide-induced debris flow: A case study from southwestern China

Abstract

This paper presents a rational method for estimating the maximum discharge of a landslide-induced debris flow. The method has five basic principles or steps: (a) to identify and measure representative bends and straight zones along a channel through which a debris flow went down; (b) to evaluate peak debris flow velocity in the bends; (c) to assess peak debris flow velocity in the straight channel zones; (d) to use the peak velocities to estimate the distribution of peak discharge along the entire channel; and (e) to find the maximum velocity and discharge of the debris flow. The method is illustrated with a case study of a landslide-induced debris flow at a mountainous region near Chengdu, southwestern China. The results show that the peak debris velocity was between 2.4 and 4.7 m s − 1 and the peak debris discharge was between 6.7 and 35.7 m 3 s − 1 . The peak discharge initially increased at the upper portion of the channel, then decreased at the lower portion, indicating that the upper channel experienced erosion but the lower channel experienced deposition. The location with the maximum debris flow discharge corresponds to the point where the volume of the debris flow started to decrease. The method presented in this paper can help to prevent or mitigate debris flow hazards.