A three-dimensional yield-criterion-based flow model for avalanches

•3D yield criteria were employed to improve the S-H model.•The generalized friction coefficient was derived from the yield criterion.•Good agreement was reached in the prediction of model test of granular flow.

In this paper, a flow model for avalanches based on the three-dimensional yield criterion is presented in an attempt to allow the relaxation of the assumption of lateral confinement pressure that is adopted in the traditional three-dimensional Savage–Hutter model (S–H model). One of the advantages of this model is that a simplified constitutive relationship for granular flow, which could reveal the internal mechanism of avalanches, is adopted. Additionally, another advantage is that the strength parameters used in the proposed model are readily available for natural materials. The flow properties of avalanches are influenced by the generalized friction coefficient, which is a parameter that can be assessed by introducing the three-dimensional yield criterion. By comparing the results obtained by numerical simulations using the model proposed in this paper and laboratory experiments, a reasonably good agreement can be reached with regard to the prediction of the moving process of avalanches.