The present paper studies the physics of the breach erosion process, particularly, the breach initiation process in over- topped landslide dams. Due to great complexities involved, only homogeneous landslide dams are ...The present paper studies the physics of the breach erosion process, particularly, the breach initiation process in over- topped landslide dams. Due to great complexities involved, only homogeneous landslide dams are considered. The flume experime- nts of dam overtopping are conducted to study the breach growth process. And in order to reveal the effects of the seepage during the breach development, the permeability characteristics of the dam materials are also taken into consideration. With the experimental observation, the details of the breach growth are examined, and the whole breach process could be distinguished into five stages, i.e., Stage I, the seepage erosion, Stage II, the formation of the initial breach, Stage III, the erosion toward the head, Stage IV, the expan- sion and incision of the breach, and Stage V, the re-equilibration of the river channel through the breach. It is shown that once trigge- red the entire breach process goes continually without stop, which highlights the significant impact of the early stages on the later deformation of the dam. Evidence shows that the initial breach of the dam is most likely to take place in the downstream slope of the dam, near the upper edge of the seepage face. The experimental results show a ＂headcut＂ mechanism of the breach initiation.展开更多
Landslide dams,as frequent natural hazards,pose significant risks to human lives,property,and ecological environments.The grading characteristics and density of dam materials play a crucial role in determining the sta...Landslide dams,as frequent natural hazards,pose significant risks to human lives,property,and ecological environments.The grading characteristics and density of dam materials play a crucial role in determining the stability of landslide dams and the potential for dam breaches.To explore the failure mechanisms and evolutionary processes of landslide dams with varying soil properties,this study conducted a series of flume experiments,considering different grain compositions and material densities.The results demonstrated that grading characteristics significantly influence landslide dam stability,affecting failure patterns,breach processes,and final breach morphologies.Fine-graded materials exhibited a sequence of surface erosion,head-cut erosion,and subsequent surface erosion during the breach process,while well-graded materials typically experienced head-cut erosion followed by surface erosion.In coarse-graded dams,the high permeability of coarse particles allowed the dam to remain stable,as inflows matched outflows.The dam breach model experiments also showed that increasing material density effectively delayed the breach and reduced peak breach flow discharge.Furthermore,higher fine particle content led to a reduction in the residual dam height and the base slope of the final breach profile,although the relationship between peak breach discharge and the content of fine and coarse particles was nonlinear.To better understand breach morphology evolution under different soil characteristics and hydraulic conditions,three key points were identified—erosion point,control point,and scouring point.This study,by examining the evolution of failure patterns,breach processes,and breach flow discharges under various grading and density conditions,offers valuable insights into the mechanisms behind landslide dam failures.展开更多
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.51479128,51279117)
文摘The present paper studies the physics of the breach erosion process, particularly, the breach initiation process in over- topped landslide dams. Due to great complexities involved, only homogeneous landslide dams are considered. The flume experime- nts of dam overtopping are conducted to study the breach growth process. And in order to reveal the effects of the seepage during the breach development, the permeability characteristics of the dam materials are also taken into consideration. With the experimental observation, the details of the breach growth are examined, and the whole breach process could be distinguished into five stages, i.e., Stage I, the seepage erosion, Stage II, the formation of the initial breach, Stage III, the erosion toward the head, Stage IV, the expan- sion and incision of the breach, and Stage V, the re-equilibration of the river channel through the breach. It is shown that once trigge- red the entire breach process goes continually without stop, which highlights the significant impact of the early stages on the later deformation of the dam. Evidence shows that the initial breach of the dam is most likely to take place in the downstream slope of the dam, near the upper edge of the seepage face. The experimental results show a ＂headcut＂ mechanism of the breach initiation.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.U22A20602,U2040221,and 42207228)the Sichuan Science and Technology Program(2022NSFSC1060)the Fundamental Research Funds for Central Public Research Institutes(Grant No.Y324006)。
文摘Landslide dams,as frequent natural hazards,pose significant risks to human lives,property,and ecological environments.The grading characteristics and density of dam materials play a crucial role in determining the stability of landslide dams and the potential for dam breaches.To explore the failure mechanisms and evolutionary processes of landslide dams with varying soil properties,this study conducted a series of flume experiments,considering different grain compositions and material densities.The results demonstrated that grading characteristics significantly influence landslide dam stability,affecting failure patterns,breach processes,and final breach morphologies.Fine-graded materials exhibited a sequence of surface erosion,head-cut erosion,and subsequent surface erosion during the breach process,while well-graded materials typically experienced head-cut erosion followed by surface erosion.In coarse-graded dams,the high permeability of coarse particles allowed the dam to remain stable,as inflows matched outflows.The dam breach model experiments also showed that increasing material density effectively delayed the breach and reduced peak breach flow discharge.Furthermore,higher fine particle content led to a reduction in the residual dam height and the base slope of the final breach profile,although the relationship between peak breach discharge and the content of fine and coarse particles was nonlinear.To better understand breach morphology evolution under different soil characteristics and hydraulic conditions,three key points were identified—erosion point,control point,and scouring point.This study,by examining the evolution of failure patterns,breach processes,and breach flow discharges under various grading and density conditions,offers valuable insights into the mechanisms behind landslide dam failures.
