Coupled fluid-particle modeling of debris flow

A comprehensive investigation of debris flow with the use of a coupled Computational Fluid Dynamics and Discrete Element Method (CFD–DEM) scheme is conducted with the consideration of free boundary of fluid. The major goal of this research is to develop an in-depth understanding of the grain-scale mechanisms that control the velocity and height profile of a debris flow under the influence of geometric and geologic parameters (e.g. viscosity, density, particle size distribution, slope angle, and base roughness). In order to calibrate the developed CFD-DEM model, a series of laboratory tests of fluid-particle flows are carried out on an inclined small-scale flume.