Particle-fluid-structure interaction for debris flow impact on flexible barriers

TL;DR

This paper introduces a hybrid computational framework combining FEM, DEM, and LBM to simulate debris flow impacts on flexible barriers, revealing the importance of both grains and fluid in momentum transfer and the benefits of barrier flexibility.

Contribution

A novel integrated simulation approach for debris flow impact on flexible barriers, accounting for fluid-grain interactions and structural flexibility, aiding rational design.

Findings

Both grains and fluid significantly influence momentum transfer.

Barrier flexibility reduces vulnerability to collapse.

Stress distribution highlights potential weak points.

Abstract

Flexible barriers are increasingly used for the protection from debris flow in mountainous terrain due to their low cost and environmental impact. However, a numerical tool for rational design of such structures is still missing. In this work, a hybrid computational framework is presented, using a total Lagrangian formulation of the Finite Element Method (FEM) 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 (DEM) governs the motion of the grains, while the free-surface non-Newtonian fluid phase is solved using the Lattice-Boltzmann Method (LBM). 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 non-negligible 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.