Development of “Kanako”, a wide use 1-D and 2-D debris flow simulator equipped with GUI

Abstract

Debris flows often cause substantial losses to human life and the economy. Damage can be effectively reduced using numerical simulation models, which can describe the debris flow process and determine possible effects of sabo dams, or erosion and sediment control dams. However, non-experts find it very difficult to run simulations independently, because the systems do not currently have an efficient user interface. We developed a system that produces oneand two-dimensional debris flow simulations and is equipped with a graphical user interface (GUI). The system is based on an integration model and employs onedimensional simulations for gully areas and two-dimensional simulations for alluvial fan areas, and then considers their mutual influence in boundary areas between gullies and alluvial fans. The system was developed with “MS Visual Basic.NET.” Data can be input using a mouse and be checked on the monitor, users can see real-time visualized images of the debris flow during the simulation. The interface enables non-expert users to run the debris-flow simulation independently, enabling better solutions for sabo engineering.