Rheology of Debris Flow: Experimental Investigation and Implication in Sustainable Design of Resistant Barrier

This study comprehensively present the experimental investigation of debris flow rheology and its implication on sustainable design of debris flow resistant barrier. Rheological investigations were conducted on a fluid phase mixture comprising clay, silt, sand, and water (with dmax ≤ 0.60 mm) under flow sweep conditions using a digital hybrid rheometer (DHR-1). A vane rheometer (VR) equipped with a shear cell was employed to examine debris flow behavior across a wide range of shear rates, from 0.01 s−1 to 1400 s−1. It was observed that the suspension exhibited non-Newtonian fluid behaviour, characterized by a significant yield stress before yielding, best represented by Hershel Bulkley rheological model. The findings highlight the link between the fundamental rheological investigations and practical engineering application in the sustainable design of debris flow-resistant barriers in alpine terrain.