Influence of Particle Shape in Dry Granular Flows and their Impact Behaviour Against Slit Dams with Basal Undulations

Abstract Geohazards like landslides and debris flows cause havoc on communities and infrastructures, emphasizing the need for understanding granular mass flow kinematics and their impact dynamics with protective measures. Employing the Discrete Element Method (DEM), this study conducts virtual experiments of granular mass flow interacting with slit dams. Initially, the numerical model is validated using conventional spherical particles against reported findings and subsequently extended to explore the effect of particle morphology on energy dissipation and barrier efficiency, employing regular polyhedral particles (Dodecahedron and Octahedron). Notably, particles with lower sphericity exhibit increased energy dissipation and barrier-trapping efficiency. The present research provides in-sight into the macro-scale implications associated with granular particle responses at the microscale, which can be applied to enhance the efficacy of geophysical mass flow barriers.