Mechanical energy evolution in the propagation of rock avalanches using field survey and numerical simulation

Rock avalanches often cause many casualties and considerable property damage due to hypermobility. To better understand the propagation process of rock avalanches, the mechanical energy evolution was investigated based on numerical simulation method and field investigation. Taking the well-known Jiweishan landslide as an example, the kinetic, potential, and dissipation energy elements were extracted from the kinematics parameters, and effective collisions were determined by calculating the local peaks of velocity. The lower velocity regions were observed in the middle portion of the sliding mass. Blocks in these regions were the medium through which the energy was transferred from the back portion of sliding mass to the front portion, acting like the stationary spheres in Newton's Cradle. The entire sliding mass followed the law of conservation of energy, while the energy evolution of the individual blocks varied by their locations. Considering that more collisions occurred in the front portion of the sliding mass, blocks in this area received more energy during propagation, thus they traveled a longer distance. Furthermore, the energy transfer became more obvious with the increase in the volume of sliding mass, causing a larger travel distance for the rock avalanche.

Automated summary

By studying the propagation process and energy evolution of rock avalanches, it was found that more collisions occurred in the front portion of the sliding mass, resulting in blocks in this area receiving more energy and traveling a longer distance.