This research project focused on energy mitigation strategies for debris flows and boulder impacts, with particular emphasis on physical modeling of impact processes and soil–structure interaction. In this work, I conceptualized and designed a large-scale boulder impact testing framework to investigate how impact energy is transferred, dissipated, and accumulated in protective systems subjected to repeated loading.

A key contribution of this project was the design and development of a boulder impact test setup, capable of simulating large-mass, high-energy impacts under controlled laboratory conditions. The setup enabled systematic investigation of impact force evolution, structural deformation, and energy absorption mechanisms, providing a foundation for studying realistic debris-flow-induced boulder impacts.

In parallel, I conducted debris flow experiments in a 5-m-long laboratory flume, where granular debris flows were generated and directed toward engineered obstacles. These experiments allowed controlled examination of flow–structure interaction, impact sequencing, and energy dissipation pathways under conditions representative of natural debris flow events.

The experimental framework and test concepts developed during my work later enabled subsequent experimental studies on successive boulder impacts, where the impact response of soil-embedded baffle systems was investigated in detail. In that later study, heavily instrumented pendular impact tests were conducted to quantify impact force evolution, soil–foundation interaction, and cumulative damage under repeated impacts, highlighting the critical role of soil densification and system flexibility in long-term energy dissipation successive-boulder-impacts-on-t….

Together, this body of work established a physically grounded approach to studying debris flow impact mitigation, bridging flume-scale debris flow experiments with large-energy boulder impact testing, and contributing to the development of more resilient, energy-absorbing protective systems for mountainous and debris-flow-prone regions.

Supervisor:
Prof Anthony K. Leung (HKUST)

Duration: 2019-2021

Project Details

Energy Mitigation of Debris Flow and Boulder Impacts