Dynamic process of a high-level landslide blocking river event in a deep valley area based on FDEM-SPH coupling approach

This study used a three-dimensional model based on the finite-discrete element method-smoothed particle hydrodynamics (FDEM-SPH) coupling approach to reconstruct the 11 October 2018 Baige landslide that blocked the Jinsha river. The numerical model simulated the dynamic process of the landslide by FDEM, while the SPH simulated the behavior of the river water. The landslide deposit area and the water-eroded area in the FDEM-SPH simulation agree well with the results of the field investigation. According to the simulation, the main duration of the Baige landslide was 80 s. The peak average speed of the landslide was 34.4 m/s, while the local speed of the sliding mass reached a maximum velocity of 70 m/s. The tensile effect and the shear effect caused isotropic dispersive stress which caused the dynamic and violent fragmentation of the landslide. The model also simulated the variation of kinetic energy, the accumulated friction dissipation, and the fracture energy of the sliding mass with time. After the sliding mass ran into the river, the landslide triggered a wave, which rapidly dispersed due to the subsequent mass movement. The front part of the sliding mass pushed some of the river water to the opposite bank where the wave reached a height of 120 m. The results of the FDEM-SPH model, the particle flow code (PFC) model, and the depth-integrated shallow-water flow (DISWF) model are compared and analyzed concerning studying landslides that block rivers. Three types of evolution mechanisms of high-level flow-like landslide-induced waves in deep river valleys are proposed in this paper. •A novel fluid-solid coupling approach based on FDEM-SPH is used for landslide blocking river.•Dynamic process of the Baige landslide blocking river is shown clearly.•Evolution modes of high-level fluid-like landslides blocking rivers in deep valley area are proposed.