Abstract
Vast expanse of land in northwest China is covered by loess. Because of the characteristics of loess, mud flow disasters can be induced in this area easily. Worse still, due to the mud flow gully transformation and the environmental changes in recent decades, mud flow disasters are increasing. In order to know more about gully-shaped mud flow, the field investigation of more than 60 gullies and the similarity principle were applied to determine the test parameters and a physical model of gully was made for mud flow. During the tests, the motion characteristics (velocity, acceleration and intermittent debris flow) and deposition parameters (length, width, area, aspect ratio, distribution, shape and thickness) of mud flow in the model were collected and analyzed. The instantaneous velocities of the mud flow fluctuated. Discharge exerts a maximum impact on the velocity; second is unit weight and minimum slope angle. In the transportation zone, the mud flow flows and forms the bed firstly; then the intermittent debris flow occurs which is affected by discharge and unit weight. The length, width and area of deposition have a certain linear rule and distribution pattern greatly relates to the first accumulation. The stacking thickness is decreasing from the center to the edge.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bathurst J, Burton A, Ward T (1997) Debris flow run-out and landslide sediment delivery model tests. J Hydraul Eng 123(5):410–419
Bowman ET, Laue J, Imre B, Springman SM (2010) Experimental modelling of debris flow behaviour using a geotechnical centrifuge. Can Geotech J 47(7):742–762
Chen X, Cui P (2006) Experimental simulation of rainfall-induced debris flow by in situ test and forecast method. Chin J Geol Hazard Control 17(4):73–77 (in Chinese)
Chen HK, Tang HM, Chen YI (2006) Research on method to calculate velocities of solid phase and liquid phase in debris flow. Appl Math Mech 27:399–408
Chen HK, Du RH, Tang HM, Wang QC (2008) Study on blasting mechanism of high pressure core in debris flow. J Chongqing Jiaotong Univ (Nat Sci) 27(5):790–793 (in Chinese)
Chen HK, Tang HM, Xian XF (2009) Model test of valley-shaped debris flow motion. J Nat Disasters 6:027 (in Chinese)
Chen HK, Tang HM, Xian XF (2010) Experimental model of debris flow impact features. J Chongqing Univ 33(5):114–119 (in Chinese)
Derbyshire E (2001) Geological hazards in loess terrain, with particular reference to the loess regions of China. Earth Sci Rev 54(1):231–260
Dowling CA, Santi PM (2014) Debris flows and their toll on human life: a global analysis of debris-flow fatalities from 1950 to 2011. Nat Hazards 71(1):203–227
Huang BL, Yin YP, Liu GN, Wang SC, Chen XT, Huo ZT (2012) Analysis of waves generated by Gongjiafang landslide in Wu Gorge, three Gorges reservoir, on November 23, 2008. Landslides 9(3):395–405
Iverson RM (1997) The physics of debris flows. Rev Geophys 35(3):245–296
Julien PY, Paris A (2010) Mean velocity of mudflows and debris flows. J Hydraul Eng 136(9):676–679
Julien PY, Paris A (2012) Mean velocity of mudflows and debris flows. J Hydraul Eng 138(2):224–225
Li Y, Liu JJ, Hu KH, Su PC (2012) Probability distribution of measured debris-flow velocity in Jiangjia Gully, Yunnan Province, China. Nat Hazards 60(2):689–701
Liu XL, Zhang SL, Tang L, Chen L (1992) The geomorphological characteristics of debris fans and their model experiments. Chin J Geol Hazard Control 3(04):32–40 (in Chinese)
Liu HJ, Lan HX, Liu Y, Zhou Y (2011) Characteristics of spatial distribution of debris flow and the effect of their sediment yield in main downstream of Jinsha River, China. Environ Earth Sci 64(6):1653–1666
Liu G, Dai E, Ge Q, Wu W, Xu X (2013) A similarity-based quantitative model for assessing regional debris-flow hazard. Nat Hazards 69(1):295–310
O’Brien JS, Julien PY (1988) Laboratory analysis of mudflow properties. J Hydraul Eng 114(8):877–887
O’Brien JS, Julien PY, Fullerton W (1993) Two-dimensional water flood and mudflow simulation. J Hydraul Eng 119(2):244–261
Takahashi T (1978) Mechanical characteristics of debris flow. J Hydraul Div 104(8):1153–1169
Takahashi T (1980) Debris flow on prismatic open channel. J Hydraul Div 106(3):381–396
Wei FQ, Hu HK, Chen YI (2006) Research on numerical simulation of debris flow in Guxiang valley, Tibet. J Mt Sci 24(2):167–171 (in Chinese)
Wei FQ, Yang HJ, Hu HK, Chernomorets S (2012) Measuring internal velocity of debris flows by temporally correlated shear forces. J Earth Sci 23(3):373–380
Wu JS, Tian LQ, Kang ZC (1993) Debris flow and its synthetical control. Science Press, Beijing
Xu Z, Lin Z, Zhang M (2007) Loess in china and loess landslides. Chin J Rock Mech Eng 26(7):1297–1312 (in Chinese)
Zhang ZH (1980) Loess in China. GeoJournal 4(6):525–540
Acknowledgments
This work was jointly supported by National Basic Research Program of China 973 (2014BC744701). The authors are very grateful for the help of other colleagues from Tongji University and Lanzhou University.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Yuan, B., Chen, W., Tang, Y. et al. Experimental study on gully-shaped mud flow in the loess area. Environ Earth Sci 74, 759–769 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-015-4080-9
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-015-4080-9