This plugin enables the export of 1 dimensional and 2 dimensional region (terrain) subject to an analysis by the UC-1 Debris-Avalanche Simulation, from the UC-win/Road model. The UC-1 Debris-Avalanche Simulation imports this area for the analysis, and from there on the user can assign several critical conditions to allow simulation to take place.
Furthermore, the result analyzed in the aforementioned software can be imported to UC-win/Road using this plug-in for a time-history representation of the approaching debris-avalanche within the 3D VR environment allowing users to visually confirm how sand, mud, and debris travel over time. This system that accurately visualizes the debris-avalanche is not only an effective tool for validating the proposed measures for preventing or mitigating the damage likely to be inflicted by a debris-avalanche, but is also a powerful tool capable of building a risk awareness model that would help the residents to better understand the risk and the actual situation in an event of a large debris-avalanche.

This product runs as a plug-in of UC-win/Road and is equipped with the functions below that have been developed by using the engine of mudslide simulator "Kanako" as a reference.

Auto calculation of river

As for model creations of the debris avalanche using the debris flow simulator (Kanako), it is necessary to enter the river where debris avalanches flow in. This program has a function to automatically calculate most suitable river shape from the UC-win/Road terrain data. The model can be created almost automatically.

▲Getting river shapes from the UC-win/Road terrain data

High speed drawing support

High speed drawing helps to perform a simulation in parallel to rain or drive simulation.

▲Enhancing of drawing speed makes simulations more efficient.

Keyboard input of river shapes

It now supports the keyboard input of the river shapes. It also supports the paste function, making it possible to paste the information of the documents. It supports the input of degrees, minutes, and seconds too.

▲The editing of the river shape by keyboard operation is possible

Addition of sound expressions

A function to play sounds in accordance with the debris flow simulation has been added, supporting the wav file format. Sound makes simulations more real.

▲Sounds selected in the setting screen are played.

Export function

The region that you wish to analyze can be specified by simply clicking the said region within the UC-win/Road terrain data. The terrain data input process has been automated so that time and effort can be greatly saved.

Visualization function

The result analyzed via Debris-Avalanche Simulator can be visualized using UC-win/Road. The flow of debris-avalanche and the effected region can be visually understood, making the system a great presentation tool.

▲Exporting data

▲Visualizing data

▲Obtaining the analyzed region from UC-win/Road

▲Adding observation points and enclosing bund

▲Drawing option

▲Visualizing the results of Debris-Avalanche analysis
(Left: Counter expression, Right: Approaching mudslide)

This program adopts the "Debris-Avalanche Simulator (Kanako)" developed in the Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, as a solver, and has the ability to run a debris-avalanche analysis effectively in a series of process thanks to pre-processing and post-processing features built into the program by FORUM8.

In order to take into account the effect of prediction on the damage that a debris-avalanche can do as well as the effect of physical barriers such as check dams have on the debris-avalanche, the calculation must be done on both the steep region (1 dimensional region) where the debris-avalanche originates and propagates and the low-angle alluvial fan (2 dimensional region) where the debris tend to overflow or pile up putting people and their houses within the area that risk. The "Debris-Avalanche Simulator (Kanako)", a solver that is used in this simulation, adopts the coupled model. How it works is that the steep region is calculated using the 1 dimensional model and the low-angle alluvial fan is calculated using the 2 dimensional model, and the result of each calculation interacts with one another at the entrance to the valley which is considered the boundary of the 2 region, allowing the system to integrate each calculation result in order to find the overall effect of the debris-avalanche prediction and measures.
The figure below is a window from the "Debris-Avalanche Simulator (Kanako)" showing the analysis result, which can also be displayed for visual confirmation through the UC-1 Debris-Avalanche Simulation.

▲Screen for 2D terrain via Kanako
(Water depth is displayed.)

For analyzed results, the following items can be visually confirmed.

1. Water surface/ river-bed form
2. Flow depth
3. Deposition thickness
4. Hydrograph of observation point

▲Main screen

▲One-dimensional domain

▲Two-dimensional domain

▲Hydrograph of inflow

▲Analysis result of flow depth

Automatic Calculation of Hydrograph Using Rainfall Intensity and UC-win/Road Terrain Data

To calculate the time-series amount of debris flow with this product, it is necessary to input the flow rate coming in river or in path of debris flow as hydrograph. However, users have to calculate the amount of flow separately or prepare for data published by observatories before creating the hydrograph. In this version, the flow rate can be calculated by using the rainfall intensity and the terrain data in UC-win/Road and can be entered as a hydrograph. A general analysis method of flow analysis "Kinematic Wave method" is used for the calculation of the flow rate. The concept is shown in Figure 1. The basin is divided and replaced with simple models, then it calculates the amount of runoff in each section per unit hour. The outflow from the upstream is naturally calculated too. Enter the computed time-series amount of flow at the end of the basin as a hydrograph.

▲Automatic creation of a hydrograph

▲Concept of Kinematic Wave method

Import of LandXML File

Supports the import of LandXML files that are encouraged for BIM/CIM. This enables debris flow simulations by terrain data in LandXML format that is often used for reviews and designs.

▲Utilization of LandXML import

Data Cooperation with Sediment Control Dam Design 3DCAD

Supports the data export for "Sediment Control Dam Design 3DCAD" containing each condition of dam set in the Debris Flow Simulation. This function makes the input with "Sediment Control Dam Design 3DCAD" simpler and the design process smoother. In addition, if conditions exported from the debris flow simulation are changed in the "Sediment Control Dam Design 3DCAD", the modified data can be imported in the debris flow simulation again to update the height of dam and other data.

▲Cooperation between the UC-1 Debris-Avalanche Simulation and the Sediment Control Dam Design 3DCAD.