Integrating experimental and numerical approaches to simulate viscous debris flows using an HBP-SPH framework

Abstract Accurately modeling debris flow behavior remains challenging, particularly for highly viscous flows, due to limitations in conventional rheological models and uncalibrated field data. This study integrates the Herschel-Bulkley-Papanastasiou (HBP) model with Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (...

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Main Authors: Nikhil Kumar Pandey, Neelima Satyam, Benjamin Basumatary
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01603-0
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author Nikhil Kumar Pandey
Neelima Satyam
Benjamin Basumatary
author_facet Nikhil Kumar Pandey
Neelima Satyam
Benjamin Basumatary
author_sort Nikhil Kumar Pandey
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Accurately modeling debris flow behavior remains challenging, particularly for highly viscous flows, due to limitations in conventional rheological models and uncalibrated field data. This study integrates the Herschel-Bulkley-Papanastasiou (HBP) model with Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) using the DualSPHysics framework, combining numerical simulations with experimental and field investigations to improve debris flow modeling. A flume-based experimental setup was used to analyze flow initiation, velocity evolution, and deposition patterns under controlled conditions, providing crucial calibration data for the numerical model. Geotechnical and geophysical site investigations further refined key rheological parameters, ensuring accurate representation of material behavior. The calibrated model was then applied to the 2020 Pettimudi debris flow in Kerala, India, capturing key flow characteristics such as a peak velocity of 16 m/s, hydrodynamic pressures of 80–200 kPa, and a deposition width of 110 m. These predictions were validated through field surveys and historical data, demonstrating the model’s reliability in replicating real-world debris flow behavior. The study highlights the effectiveness of SPH combined with the HBP model in addressing limitations in traditional methods, providing a flexible and scalable framework for simulating debris flows. The methodology offers valuable insights into flow mechanics and has significant potential for hazard assessment, mitigation planning, and back-analysis of past debris flows in vulnerable regions worldwide This study highlights the novelty of integrating experimental, numerical, and field-based approaches to improve debris flow modeling. The findings demonstrate that SPH, combined with the HBP model, provides a flexible framework for simulating viscous debris flows, addressing limitations in traditional methods.
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spelling doaj-art-ffe4fca83b424923bfd118c5249d151b2025-08-20T02:32:04ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-05-0115112110.1038/s41598-025-01603-0Integrating experimental and numerical approaches to simulate viscous debris flows using an HBP-SPH frameworkNikhil Kumar Pandey0Neelima Satyam1Benjamin Basumatary2Geohazards Research Lab, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology IndoreGeohazards Research Lab, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology IndoreGeohazards Research Lab, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology IndoreAbstract Accurately modeling debris flow behavior remains challenging, particularly for highly viscous flows, due to limitations in conventional rheological models and uncalibrated field data. This study integrates the Herschel-Bulkley-Papanastasiou (HBP) model with Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) using the DualSPHysics framework, combining numerical simulations with experimental and field investigations to improve debris flow modeling. A flume-based experimental setup was used to analyze flow initiation, velocity evolution, and deposition patterns under controlled conditions, providing crucial calibration data for the numerical model. Geotechnical and geophysical site investigations further refined key rheological parameters, ensuring accurate representation of material behavior. The calibrated model was then applied to the 2020 Pettimudi debris flow in Kerala, India, capturing key flow characteristics such as a peak velocity of 16 m/s, hydrodynamic pressures of 80–200 kPa, and a deposition width of 110 m. These predictions were validated through field surveys and historical data, demonstrating the model’s reliability in replicating real-world debris flow behavior. The study highlights the effectiveness of SPH combined with the HBP model in addressing limitations in traditional methods, providing a flexible and scalable framework for simulating debris flows. The methodology offers valuable insights into flow mechanics and has significant potential for hazard assessment, mitigation planning, and back-analysis of past debris flows in vulnerable regions worldwide This study highlights the novelty of integrating experimental, numerical, and field-based approaches to improve debris flow modeling. The findings demonstrate that SPH, combined with the HBP model, provides a flexible framework for simulating viscous debris flows, addressing limitations in traditional methods.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01603-0HBPFlume setupViscosityFlow heightPettimudiDeposition
spellingShingle Nikhil Kumar Pandey
Neelima Satyam
Benjamin Basumatary
Integrating experimental and numerical approaches to simulate viscous debris flows using an HBP-SPH framework
Scientific Reports
HBP
Flume setup
Viscosity
Flow height
Pettimudi
Deposition
title Integrating experimental and numerical approaches to simulate viscous debris flows using an HBP-SPH framework
title_full Integrating experimental and numerical approaches to simulate viscous debris flows using an HBP-SPH framework
title_fullStr Integrating experimental and numerical approaches to simulate viscous debris flows using an HBP-SPH framework
title_full_unstemmed Integrating experimental and numerical approaches to simulate viscous debris flows using an HBP-SPH framework
title_short Integrating experimental and numerical approaches to simulate viscous debris flows using an HBP-SPH framework
title_sort integrating experimental and numerical approaches to simulate viscous debris flows using an hbp sph framework
topic HBP
Flume setup
Viscosity
Flow height
Pettimudi
Deposition
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01603-0
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AT benjaminbasumatary integratingexperimentalandnumericalapproachestosimulateviscousdebrisflowsusinganhbpsphframework