Debris Flow Load Reduction Effect on Front Inclination Angle of Open Sabo Dam Possessed by DEM

Abstract

This paper investigates an evaluation method of debris flow impulsive load on steel pipe open sabo dam observed in preliminary experiment. In the experiment, the impulsive load of debris flow was reduced 30 % by the front inclination angle of the dam model. Moreover, the distinct element method is utilized for a numerical simulation of the experiment. Herein, the numerical results reproduced the load duration relation and sedimentary process of experimental results. The load reduction mechanism that was influenced the front inclination angle of the dam, is precisely analyzed by tracing the movement of elements around ‘Dead Zone’ and/or area of colliding with facilities. At last, it is pointed out that the predominant mechanism of load reduction is contact frequency that is intended between the dead zone and the flowing elements along with the dead zone.