Effect of Topographic Condition of Drainage Channel on the Interaction Between Granular Flow and Slit Dams

Jiajia Feng, Chengye Yang (), Chongyang Bu, Yangyang Xia and Gen Zhang
Additional contact information
Jiajia Feng: Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, Tibet University, Lhasa 850000, China
Chengye Yang: Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, Tibet University, Lhasa 850000, China
Chongyang Bu: Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, Tibet University, Lhasa 850000, China
Yangyang Xia: Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, Tibet University, Lhasa 850000, China
Gen Zhang: Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, Tibet University, Lhasa 850000, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 4, 1-16

Abstract: One of the most dangerous geological disaster risks in mountainous areas is granular flow. Slit dams, which might partially block the granular flow and let downstream flow at a slower speed, have been crucial in reducing the geohazards associated with granular flow. In this work, the discrete element method (DEM) was used to explore the effect of the topographic condition of drainage channels, including slope angle and cross-section types, on the interaction between granular flows and slit dams. The interactions dynamic process between the dry granular flows and slit dams with different drainage channel cross-section types has been investigated. And the simulation results demonstrate the significance of taking drainage channel cross-section types into account when designing barriers, particularly slit dams. The flow process, particularly in channels with V-shaped and trapezoidal sections, is characterized by a more rapid movement and larger final accumulation length, potentially resulting in increased impact force on the downstream slit dams. Moreover, the cross-section types and slope angles jointly influence the regulation function and impact force. The dry granular flow in the drainage channel with a V-shaped cross-section leads to a smaller normal impact force and retention efficiency. Taking into account the complexity of construction, retention efficiency, and impact force, it can be concluded that a trapezoid shape is the most appropriate option from an engineering perspective. This research may add to the understanding of the relationship between granular flow and slit dams and help the engineering design of slit dams with scientific evidence.

Keywords: granular flow risk; slit dam; flow–slit dam interaction; cross-section shape; discrete element method (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/4/1649/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/4/1649/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:4:p:1649-:d:1592643

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().