Numerical Simulation of the Topographical Change in Korea Mountain Area by Intense Rainfall and Consequential Debris Flow

Byong-Hee Jun

doi:10.1155/2016/9363675

Abstract

The objectives of this study are to simulate the topographical changes associated with rainfall and the consequential debris flow using terrestrial LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging). Three rainfall events between July 9 and July 14, 2009, triggered a number of debris flows at Jecheon County in Korea. Rain fell at a rate of 64 mm/h, producing 400 mm of total accumulation during this period. Tank simulation model for SWI (Soil Water Index) estimated the water stored beneath the ground and debris flow occurrence in study area. For the LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) survey, the terrestrial laser scanning system RIEGL LMS-Z390i consists of an accurate and fast 3D scanner, associated RTK GPS system. The DEM derived from LiDAR enabled the debris flow to be mapped and analyzed in great detail. The estimated affected area and erosion/deposition volumes by debris flow were compared with two-dimensional numerical simulation. The simulation results were sufficiently in good agreement with the debris flow track, and a success rate of over 90% was achieved with a simulation time of 300 s. A comparison of the simulated and surveyed results based on deposition volume yields a success rate of over 97% with 350 s of simulation time.

Highlights

Since the debris flows generally transport huge volumes of sediments in mountain torrents, it is important to understand the characteristics of erosion, transportation, and deposition of debris flows, especially mountainous areas
The study area required scanning from 21 locations to capture debris flow track geometry and these 21 locations were combined to one dataset
The erosion volume success rate reaches the highest value at 500 s simulation time

Summary

Introduction

Since the debris flows generally transport huge volumes of sediments in mountain torrents, it is important to understand the characteristics of erosion, transportation, and deposition of debris flows, especially mountainous areas. The debris flow discharges are much higher than clean water discharges; the hydrodynamic forces are increased [2]. Climatic factors are an important subject for a better understanding of hydrological response of landslide activity and are essential for developing landslide/debris flow warning systems. The Indian Ocean monsoon produces seasonal precipitation in Korea [3], which causes landslides and debris flows. These events have resulted in notably higher damage [4]. In both Korea and all around Northeast Asia, the sediments in debris flows often cause catastrophic damage in local communities [5]

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