DebrisInterMixing-2.3: a Finite Volume solver for three dimensional debris flow simulations based on a single calibration parameter – Part 2: Model validation

Abstract

Here we present the validation of the fluid dynamic solver presented in part one of this work (von Boetticher et al., 2015), simulating laboratory-scale and large-scale debris-flow experiments. The material properties of the experiments, including water content, sand content, clay content and its mineral composition, and gravel content and its friction angle, were known. We show that given these measured properties, a single free model parameter is sufficient for calibration, and a range of experiments with different material compositions can be reproduced by the model without recalibration. The model validation focuses on different case studies illustrating the sensitivity of debris flows to water and clay content, channel curvature, channel roughness and the angle of repose of the gravel. We characterize the accuracy of the model using experimental observations of flow head positions, front velocities, run-out patterns and basal pressures.