Towards debris flows simulation using SPH : Internal behaviour of
viscous flows and mixtures
Abstract
This paper shows an application of the SPH software DualSPHysics coupled
with ProjectChrono to debris flow modelling. To achieve a rigorous
modelling of such flows, a validation of the method is conducted for
viscous flows and mixtures. Velocity profiles, free surface shape and
velocity of viscous surges are validated against well documented
experimental data. It is, to the best of our knowledge, one of the few
validations of the SPH approach for very viscous flows near the creeping
threshold (Re~1). Mixtures of viscous fluid and granular
elements are studied against a semi-empirical formula. The method is
then applied to 2D debris flow surges with field like features. Surges
are composed of a viscous Newtonian fluid and poly-disperse boulders.
The flow of surges of different concentrations is studied and Froude
numbers of real field measurements are retrieved. Such complex models
are shown to be relevant to the study of debris flow dynamics.