JOURNAL OF JAPANESE SOCIETY OF TRIBOLOGISTS
Online ISSN : 2189-9967
Print ISSN : 0915-1168
ISSN-L : 0915-1168
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Tribology in Volcano
Chiaki T. OGUCHI
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2026 Volume 71 Issue 5 Pages 372-379

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Abstract
Several examples of tribological research in volcanic settings are presented in conjunction with an overview of volcanic phenomena. Friction plays a fundamental role in both the formation and erosion of volcanoes. During eruptions where lava ascends through conduits, however, abrasion predominates over friction. Many studies of pyroclastic flow descent incorporate the concepts of shallow and two-layer flow friction, with friction coefficients typically determined through simulation. The air content ratio during pyroclastic flow descent is cited as a key factor in controlling this friction coefficient. Many studies examine slope sediment collapse related to volcanic erosion processes from a geotechnical perspective. These studies use laboratory testing to determine the internal friction angle and cohesion of collected samples. When assessing the safety of slope failures, the Coulomb failure criterion is typically employed. Mitigation measures for volcanic hazards like pyroclastic flow or lahar should consider their runout distance and treat them as density flows. The balance between air or water content, friction, and turbulent dissipation associated with particle collisions (i.e., particle-fluid interaction) also influences the velocity, runout distance, and deposition morphology of friction flows. Taking these factors into account, it is crucial to evaluate the various physical properties related to 'friction' to prepare for volcanic hazards.
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