Innovative Approaches to Debris Flow Protection: Insights into Baffle Positioning and Design Optimization

Innovative Approaches to Debris Flow Protection: Insights into Baffle Positioning and Design Optimization

Baffles effectively reduce debris flow velocity and kinetic energy, altering movement distance and accumulation patterns, and are widely used for mitigating natural disasters like landslides and mudslides. This study utilized the three-dimensional Discrete Element Method (DEM) to investigate the effects of baffle positions on debris flow protection. Through single-factor experiments, velocity and energy variations were analyzed, and the influence of the first-row baffle position on impact force and accumulation mass was evaluated to determine suitable positions.

Subsequently, an orthogonal design explored the effects of four key factors—baffle position (P), height (h), row spacing (Sr), and transit area angle (α)—on the performance of baffle arrangements. Results indicated that baffles placed in the transit area outperformed those in the deposition area, showing greater energy dissipation and flow mass obstruction. Range analysis ranked the influencing factors for impact force as α > P > Sr > h, while for mass reduction, the ranking was P > α > Sr > h. The optimal arrangement was identified as P5, Sr=16, α=35°, and h=9, providing a framework for improving debris flow mitigation strategies through optimized baffle design.