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Improving the evaluation of the blockade behavior of open check dams: a small-scale physical modeling

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Abstract

Open check dams are an efficient means of controlling debris flows within channelized gullies. To estimate the trapping and regulating functions of open check dams, it is important to have accurate predictions of the evolution of their blockade behavior. In this study, a series of specially designed physical modeling tests are performed on open check dams subjected to debris flows. Temporary blocking is observed during the trapping process as the blockade forms and breaks. The influence of opening shape, relative opening, and debris-flow bulk density on the blockade behavior is investigated, and an improved evaluation method based on the blockade criterion is proposed. Analysis allows us to determine the critical blockade conditions for various types of dam and debris flow, and to identify the range over which there is a high probability of temporary blocking. The sediment-trapping effectiveness and reduction in instantaneous discharge are strongly related to the value of the blockade criterion, making this criterion very useful for field practices. The experimental results presented in this paper provide a reference for the design of open check dams.

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Funding

This study was funded by the Second Scientific Expedition to Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (Grant No. 2019QZKK0902), the National Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2020YFD1100701), the Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. XDA23090403). Furthermore, we would like to thank the anonymous reviewers and editors for their comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Mountain Hazards and Earth Surface Processes, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, CAS, Chengdu, 610041, China

    Hao Sun, Yong You, Jinfeng Liu, Dongwei Wang, Zhuang Wang & Xiaobo Lv

  2. Natural Resources Bureau of Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, Barkam, 624000, China

    Daoling Li

  3. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China

    Dongwei Wang, Zhuang Wang & Xiaobo Lv

Authors
  1. Hao Sun
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  2. Yong You
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  3. Daoling Li
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  4. Jinfeng Liu
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  5. Dongwei Wang
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  6. Zhuang Wang
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  7. Xiaobo Lv
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Correspondence to Yong You.

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Sun, H., You, Y., Li, D. et al. Improving the evaluation of the blockade behavior of open check dams: a small-scale physical modeling. Bull Eng Geol Environ 81, 279 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-022-02773-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-022-02773-1

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