Title
Particle-fluid-structure interaction for debris flow impact on flexible barriers
Abstract
Flexible barriers are increasingly used for the protection from debris flow in mountainous terrain due to their low cost and environmental impact. However, the development of a numerical tool for the rational design of such structures is still a challenge. In this work, a hybrid computational framework is presented, using a total Lagrangian formulation of the finite element method to represent a flexible barrier. The actions exerted on the structure by a debris flow are obtained from simultaneous simulations of the flow of a fluid-grain mixture, using two conveniently coupled solvers: the discrete element method governs the motion of the grains, while the free-surface non-Newtonian fluid phase is solved using the lattice Boltzmann method. Simulations on realistic geometries show the dependence of the momentum transfer on the barrier on the composition of the debris flow, challenging typical assumptions made during the design process today. In particular, we demonstrate that both grains and fluid contribute in a nonnegligible way to the momentum transfer. Moreover, we show how the flexibility of the barrier reduces its vulnerability to structural collapse, and how the stress is distributed on its fabric, highlighting potential weak points.
Year
DOI
Venue
2016
10.1111/mice.12165
Comp.-Aided Civil and Infrastruct. Engineering
DocType
Volume
Issue
Journal
31
5
ISSN
Citations 
PageRank 
1093-9687
0
0.34
References 
Authors
1
5
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
alessandro leonardi100.34
Falk K. Wittel221.32
miller mendoza331.16
Roman Vetter421.32
Hans J. Herrmann518617.58