The effects of upstream flexible barrier on the debris flow entrainment and impact dynamics on a terminal barrier

The destructive nature of debris flows is mainly caused by flow bulking from entrainment an erodible channel bed. To arrest these flows, multiple flexible barriers are commonly installed along the predicted path. Despite importance bed, its effects generally ignored when designing barriers. In this study, three unique experiments were carried out in a 28 m long flume to investigate impact on both single and dual with 6 soil Initial volumes 2.5 3 modelled. For test setting adopted, small upstream barrier before bed separates into several surges via overflow. smaller reduce 70% force terminal 94% compared case without barrier. However, overflowing deformed induces centrifugal that results dynamic pressure coefficient up 2.2 times higher than those recommended guidelines. This suggests although compact can be effective for controlling entrainment, they should carefully designed withstand forces.