Analysis of the runout distance and impact force of an actual landslide considering the effect of single rigid barrier using an SPH approach

Abstract

Many studies have explored the impact mechanism of debris flow on barriers via small-scale and large-scale flume tests, but little attention has been given to actual landslides. In this study, an SPH model was constructed to simultaneously model an actual landslide and a rigid barrier via a numerical approach. Thereafter, the applicability of the proposed model was validated through simulations of the Gaoloucun landslide and tests of granular material impacting rigid walls. Finally, several simulation cases were designed for the Gaoloucun landslide by changing the location and height of a single rigid barrier. These cases were designed to obtain the runout distance and impact force. The simulation results indicate that the runout distance slightly decreases when the barrier is near the source area, and the reduction in impact is more obvious when the barrier is in the flow and deposition areas. The peak impact forces derived from the numerical simulations correspond with the analytical solutions, and the force value increases as the barrier location approaches the source and the height increases. Thus, a moderately tall barrier in the flow area of the Gaoloucun landslide could constitute the optimal configuration scheme.