Articles | Volume 25, issue 6
https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-25-1901-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-25-1901-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
06 Jun 2025
Research article |
| 06 Jun 2025
| 06 Jun 2025
Comparative analysis of μ(I) and Voellmy-type grain flow rheologies in geophysical mass flows: insights from theoretical and real case studies
College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
Key Laboratory of Building Safety and Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, China
WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF, Davos Dorf 7260, Switzerland
Climate Change, Extremes and Natural Hazards in Alpine Regions Research Centre CERC, Davos Dorf 7260, Switzerland
Brian W. McArdell
Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf 8903, Switzerland
Perry Bartelt
WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF, Davos Dorf 7260, Switzerland
Climate Change, Extremes and Natural Hazards in Alpine Regions Research Centre CERC, Davos Dorf 7260, Switzerland
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Short summary
The experimentally based μ(I) rheology, widely used for gravitational mass flows, is reinterpreted as a Voellmy-type relationship to highlight its link to grain flow theory. Through block modeling and case studies, we establish its equivalence to μ(R) rheology. μ(I) models shear thinning but fails to capture acceleration and deceleration processes and deposit structure. Incorporating fluctuation energy in μ(R) improves accuracy, refining mass flow modeling and revealing practical challenges.
The experimentally based μ(I) rheology, widely used for gravitational mass flows, is...
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