Application of Virtual Reality in Debris Flow Control Engineering Planning

On 1 November 2000, an intense rainfall event triggered a catastrophic debris flow in the Dacukeng Creek region of Ruifang Township in Taiwan, resulting in seven fatalities, one missing person, and extensive damage to residential structures and farmland. This disaster underscored the critical need for integrated debris flow mitigation strategies and rigorous engineering interventions within a comprehensive regional disaster prevention framework. In response, the present study developed a multifaceted approach combining high-resolution UAV-based terrain mapping, advanced numerical modeling, and immersive virtual reality (VR) simulations to quantitatively characterize debris flow dynamics and facilitate stakeholder engagement in risk assessment and mitigation planning. First, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were utilized to capture high-precision topographic data, which were processed with ContextCapture to generate a detailed 3D photogrammetric model. Next, FLO-2D simulations were employed to approximate debris flow rheology, analyzing flow depth, velocity, and inundation extents under various rainfall intensities. The resulting data were subsequently imported into Blender to create dynamic 3D visualizations illustrating potential flow pathways and associated hazards. Finally, a VR-based debris flow mitigation platform was constructed in Unity, featuring six degrees of freedom for user movement and interactivity. This platform enables engineers, policymakers, and community stakeholders to virtually navigate realistic hazard scenarios and evaluate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of different structural and non-structural mitigation measures. By merging cutting-edge computational modeling with immersive visualization, the proposed framework allows for enhanced comprehension of debris flow mechanisms, fosters more productive communication among diverse stakeholders, and supports evidence-based policymaking. The real-time and interactive nature of the VR environment promotes deeper public engagement, improves collaborative planning, and ultimately strengthens regional resilience against debris flow hazards.