Analysis of the Torrent Lava Flow Movement and Its Computations - One Example Applied Investigation of Disastrous Torrent Flood

by Zoran Gavrilovi?, Inst for the Development of Water, Resources, Beograd, Yugoslavia,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Hydraulic Engineering

Abstract:

To compute torrent lava flow is hardly an easy task. Most often it has to be determined on the basis of flood traces. In the case of phenomenon discussed, it was the only possible way since all gauging devices were completely destroyed. Every expert is well aware of the difficulties encountered in computing on the basis of torrent flood traces, even when the flood is much less intensive than the one described here. A disastrous torrent flood on the Vlasina River of 26 June 1988 was of unprecedented intensity in Yugoslavia. The catchment area affected by the catastrophe covered more than 1,000 km² and the damage was estimated to one billion dollars. The torrential flows discharge velocity could be measured only on the surface (using buoys, under the condition of really being present at the moment of passage of the flood water peak). Standard methods of computation using Bassin's and Manning's formulas, as well as their compilations, did not yield satisfactory results. The detailed reconstruction of the torrential flood wave, enabled the accuracy which is difficult to achieve in such situations. The greatest error could be of the 15 minutes order of magnitude which is negligible if the flood waves travel time of 9 (eight) hours is considered. The results were rather interesting, particularly those regarding lava flow. In analyzing the results, it was concluded that the principles of torrent lava flow and of fluid flow in hydraulic systems are different.

Subject Headings: Flow measurement | Floods | Fluid flow | Water discharge measurement | Volcanic deposits | River flow | Fluid velocity

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