Climate change into more intense meteorological conditions with increased peak precipitation and runoff is a likely future scenario along the road system, especially in Western Norway. 

This research aims for knowledge on debris flow and mudflow in order to design economical, safe and effective countermeasures wherever needed along E39. The study shall improve the understanding of the dynamic forces from and the behaviour of the fluidized soil/water mass in the flow path, in narrow spaces and structure underpasses. For some specific sections of the E39 highway, the parameters that are important for debris flows shall be established and/or measured. By use of physical modelling, various countermeasures shall be applied and studied with respect to forces, efficiency and functionality. The study needs to consider effects of the changing climate. The work builds on prior knowledge/experience nationally and internationally within flow slide dynamics.
Activities will involve:

•      Model testing of waterdominated debris/mud flows in the laboratory

•      Increasing the modeling competence in flow slide/mud slide by computational methods as CFD and formulations for erosion/soil-water interaction, based on existing models and using open source codes available

•      Developing improved methods for design of diversion structures and barriers

•      Estimating of loads on barriers and structures