Rheological analysis of fine-grained natural debris-flow material

Experiments were conducted on large samples of fine-grained material (???2mm) from a natural debris flow using a wide-gap concentric-cylinder viscometer. The rheological behavior of this material is compatible with a Bingham model at shear rates in excess of 5 sec. At lesser shear rates, rheological behavior of the material deviates from the Bingham model, and when sand concentration of the slurry exceeds 20 percent by volume, particle interaction between sand grains dominates the mechanical behavior. Yield strength and plastic viscosity are extremely sensitive to sediment concentration.