| Citation: | Wu Yinliang, Chang Ming, Guo Changbao, Liu Jixin, Liu Gui, Dou Xiangyang, 2026. Low-Temperature Kinematic Mechanisms of High-Elevation Rock-Ice Debris Flows Based on Rheological Characteristics. Earth Science, 51(4): 1388-1402. doi: 10.3799/dqkx.2026.110 |
To reveal the low-temperature kinematic mechanism of ice-bearing debris flow transformed from ice-rock avalanches on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and quantify the controlling effects of ice content and total mass on its flow behavior, it performed integrated tests under intelligent temperature-controlled conditions. Combining rheological tests of moraine soil slurry and physical model tests of ice-bearing debris flow, it analyzed the influences of varying ice contents (25%, 50%, 75%) and total masses (10 kg, 15 kg, 20 kg) on the dynamic response, velocity field evolution, and deposition characteristics of the debris flows via acceleration monitoring and Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) inversion.Rheological test results demonstrate that the yield stress of the slurry is highly sensitive to bulk density. Specifically, in low bulk density systems, yield stress increases multiplicatively with rising bulk density, whereas the strengthening effect of moraine materials tends to saturate in high bulk density systems.Physical model tests reveal that the runout distance of ice-bearing debris flow exhibits a significantly positive correlation with both ice content and total mass, with a nonlinear coupling enhancement effect observed between the two factors. Ice content dominates the flow regime transition of the system by regulating the particle contact network, which dictates the evolution direction of the "friction-cementation-lubrication" mechanical behavior. Total mass modulates the transformation intensity of mechanical behavior and energy transfer efficiency through inertial effects. Together, these two factors synergistically control the ultra-long-distance, high-mobility transport capacity of ice-bearing debris flows.It established a multivariate nonlinear prediction model for "runout distance-spread width-impact scope" that incorporates the friction-lubrication coupling mechanism, with a coefficient of determination (R2 > 0.94). This model provides a quantitative basis for hazard range assessment of ice-rock avalanche disasters on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and can effectively guide the route selection, construction, and safe operation and maintenance of major engineering projects.
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