Predictive modeling and analysis of runout distance of physical mudflows based on a discrete element method

Abstract

ABSTRACT Both visualization simulation and numerical simulation play important roles in mudflow simulation. However, the computational bottlenecks and the correctness of mudflow simulation supporting a large-scale particle system are still key problems to be solved in modeling of mudflow dynamics. In this article, we propose a discrete element method that uses many-core graphics processing units to accelerate the simulation of such a depositional process and to predict runout distances for physical mudflows. A model constructed using this method was verified for accuracy and applicability by a comparative analysis of physical mudflow flume tests and corresponding simulation tests. Our results showed that the runout distance prediction model, constructed using the discrete element method, can simulate the depositional processes of physical mudflows (supporting the simulation of tens of millions of particles), and can simulate their runout distance and deposit morphologies. Because the heterogeneous CPU–GPU computing approach can effectively improve the simulation accuracy by using more mudflow particles, the error in the simulation of the runout distance of the physical mudflows was within a small and acceptable range. Thus, the model can be used for further studies on the prediction of risks associated with mudflows.