The Rosetta Stone Network: Physical testing towards a common understanding of debris flow
Debris flows, fast moving landslides comprised of rock, soil and water, are an increasing global hazard.
Summary
Despite separate advances in the fluid mechanics, granular physics, earth sciences and geotechnical engineering communities, a holistic understanding of the mechanics of these complex flows remains elusive. This proposal aims to create a “Rosetta Stone” of communication between the disciplines through physical tests undertaken with common material characteristics, informed by monitored field events, leading to improved numerical models.
Partner institutions include: the University of Sheffield, UK (Lead); Queens University, Canada; IAN-BOKU, Austria; WSL, Switzerland, and Durham University, UK.
Results are being shared, interpreted according to the different paradigms adopted within each network discipline, and communicated via an open-access repository in order to better predict runout and impact loads via improved validation and calibration of numerical models.
Sponsor
The Leverhulme Trust
Project dates
Start date: 01/02/2017
End date: 31/07/2021
People involved
- Dr Elisabeth Bowman
- Nicoletta Sanvitale (PDRA)
- Yuting Zhao (PhD)