Debris-flow-induced damage assessment for a submarine pipeline network in regional-scale natural terrain

This paper proposes a distributed model for assessing the damage to a submarine pipeline network induced by regional debris flows. The model consists of three components: a spatial discretization module, a regional submarine debris flow dynamics module, and an impact force and damage evaluation module for the pipeline network. The model is applied to the Shenhu area in the northern South China Sea to investigate the responses of a pipeline network subjected to regional submarine debris flows. The proposed model can capture the impact forces and damage level of the pipeline network during the debris flow process. The influence of the properties and initial location of a potential debris flow on the pipeline network damage and the effect of multiple debris flows on the pipeline network are investigated. The risk mitigation measures for a complex submarine pipeline network in extreme disaster scenarios on a regional scale are compared. The proposed model represents a feasible solution for assessing the responses of a pipeline network subjected to regional submarine debris flows and can facilitate risk-informed decision-making for the planning and optimization of pipeline routes.

Automated summary

This paper proposes a distributed model for assessing the damage to a submarine pipeline network induced by regional debris flows. The model can capture the impact forces and damage level of the pipeline network during the debris flow process and investigates the influence of debris flow properties and multiple flows on the network.