Failure Prediction of a Rubble Mound Weir Using Distinct Element Method

Abstract

Nature-friendly hydraulic structures such as a rubble mound weir have attracted researcher's attention in recent years. Therefore, it is important to establish a numerical model to predict a possible failure process. In this research, the distinct element method which is used for modeling the aggregate of discontinuous elements is applied to model a failure process of the rubble mound weir. Hydrodynamic forces acting on the rubble-mound weir such as drag force and seepage force which are required in the calculation of DEM was obtained by the flow analysis using VOF technique. It is confirmed that the numerical results using the proposed method can reproduce the movement of particles in the early stage of failure under the steady flow condition. It is also clarified that the contact angle of DEM particles has a significant effect on the failure process.