McArdell Brian

Hydrology and check dams analysis in the debris flow context of Illgraben torrent (VS) 

Project Number: CH-4839
Project Type: Master
Project Duration: 08/01/2008 - 11/30/2009 project completed
Funding Source: other ,
Leading Institution: WSL Birmensdorf
Project Leader: Dr. Brian McArdell
Debris Flow research group
Mass Movements
Gebirgshydrologie und Wildbäche
WSL
Zürcherstrasse 111
8903 Birmensdorf
Phone: +41 (0) 44 739 24 45 ; +41 (0) 44 739 21 11
FAX: +41 (0) 44 739 22 15
e-Mail: brian.mcardell(at)wsl.ch
http://www.wsl.ch/fe/gebirgshydrologie/index_EN

related to this project.
for which the project has a relevance.


Research Areas:
Landscape

Disciplines:
environmental sciences

Keywords:
Illgraben, flood peak discharges, sediment transport interaction, model RAMMS

Abstract:
The Illgraben catchment, due to its particular geological and geomorphological features, is one of the most active debris torrent in Switzerland. An hydrological analysis was performed through a frequency analysis of the surrounding ANETZ (Meteoswiss) stations and rainfall interpolation with GIS methods to finally get the IDF curve for the area (assuming several hydrological behaviour). Flood peak discharges were calculated with the software HAKESCH and flood hydrograms, based on an empirical method, allowed to define the resulting flood volumes for several return period.
Check dams installed across the whole Illbach channel were also studied to get an overview of their functions; geomorphological and sediment transport interactions were analysed in order to understand the trumps and weaknesses of these structures. Numerical model AVAL-1D was used to look at the behaviour of debris flow at the vicinity of check dams and assess its reliability to reproduce the reality. Finally a trial was done with the model RAMMS to confirm the previous results and test an experimental bed erosion module.

Leading questions:
  • How is IDF curve for the Illgraben?

  • What are the effects and interactions of the check dams on debris flows and floods from field data?

  • What is the efficience of models in reproducing the flow behaviour close to the check dam?


    Publications:
    Glassey, Thierry. Hydrology and check dams analysis in the debris flow context of Illgraben torrent (VS). Masterthesis. ETH Lausanne.
    pdf Masterthesis




    Last update: 7/18/17
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