Assessment of Debris Flow Impact Based on Experimental Analysis along a Deposition Area

Abstract

Debris flow is a devastating phenomenon that happens in hilly and mountainous regions and has a serious impact on affected areas. It causes casualties and serious damage to the environment and society. Therefore, a susceptible assessment is necessary to prevent, mitigate, and raise awareness of the impact of debris flows. This paper focuses on evaluating the deposition area along the deposition board. The methodology involved an experiment on a physical model by demonstrating the debris flow based on the steepness of the flume slope at 15°, 20°, and 25° angles. The limestone particles with a total volume of 2.5 × 106 mm3 acted as debris and were released with water from the tank to the deposition board with an area of 10 × 105 mm2. The volume, area, and length of particle distribution carried from the flume to the deposition board were then determined. Based on the experimental results, the deposition board is covered with particles of about 696.19 × 103 mm3, 748.29 × 103 mm3, and 505.19 × 103 mm3 volume for each 15°, 20°, and 25° angle, respectively. In actual situations, debris flow is capable of causing significant risk to the affected area. This study can be deemed useful for a risk assessment approach, to help develop guidelines, and to mitigate the regions where debris flows are most probable to occur.