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Scaling fluid-driven processes: Building Collapse in Extreme Flow Conditions

Project description

Testing how extreme events damage buildings and move debris

Extreme natural events such as flash floods and tsunamis can cause buildings to collapse and generate dangerous debris flows. However, understanding such earth processes is challenging owing to their multi-physics and multi-phase nature. Traditional scaling methods often fail to accurately replicate such phenomena in the laboratory. The ERC-funded ANGRYWATERS project will transform the modelling of these events by deriving new scaling laws based on advanced mathematical frameworks (Lie group). Researchers will use 3D-printed building models and engineered materials to conduct experiments in medium- and large-scale facilities to simulate extreme flow conditions. The proposed research will improve predictions of energy losses and debris transport upon collapse, paving the way for better hazard preparedness.

Objective

Many Earth system processes involving multi-physics, multi-phase conditions extend over several orders of magnitude in length- and time-scales. Engineering science, in pursuit of deeper process understanding and solution-oriented design, has used scaling theories to address scale-afflicted, complex processes through experimental work in laboratory environment at reduced scale. The standard scaling approach, the Buckingham -theorem, is especially deficient when multi-physics and multi-phase processes require the choice of more than a single non-dimensional number, resulting in severe scale effects and typically meaning that accuracies at reduced scale are inadequately quantified. Hence, we choose a demonstrably complex multi-physics, multi-phase process for the investigation of scaling accuracies the progressive collapsing of residential buildings and the associate debris transport, evolving from extreme flow events from natural hazards, such as flash floods or tsunami.
ANGRYWATERS seeks to achieve a breakthrough in modelling these complex processes by deriving novel scaling laws that will be developed in the framework of the Lie group of point scaling transformations. Scaling requirements will be applied to the combined fluid-structure interaction at various scales, developing sophisticated building specimens; here, we employ 3D-printing and appropriately engineered materials to match the scaling requirements. We conduct a comprehensive experimental campaign, using medium- and large-scale facilities, subjecting the specimens to extreme flow conditions in the form of dam-break waves. We consider sub-assemblages, single and multiple buildings, enhancing the understanding of energy losses and debris production upon collapse, elaborating reduced scale accuracies. High-fidelity numerical modelling will complement our experiments, deepening our process understanding; a depth-averaged model with novel debris advection model crucially enhances predictive capabilities.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) ERC-2023-COG

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Host institution

TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET BRAUNSCHWEIG
Net EU contribution
€ 2 125 908,00
Address
UNIVERSITAETSPLATZ 2
38106 Braunschweig
Germany
Region
Niedersachsen Braunschweig Braunschweig, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost
€ 2 125 908,00

Beneficiaries (1)