New criterion for the stability of a human body in floodwaters

• Published in: Journal of hydraulic research Vol. 52; no. 1; pp. 93 - 104
• Main Authors: Xia, Junqiang, Falconer, Roger A., Wang, Yejiang, Xiao, Xuanwei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Delft Taylor & Francis 02.01.2014; International Association for Hydraulic Research; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Buoyancy; Criteria; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Environmental risk; Exact sciences and technology; Experimental data; Floods; Floodwater; Floodwaters; flume experiments; Human; Human body; human body stability; Hydrology; Hydrology. Hydrogeology; incipient velocity; Instability; mechanics-based analysis; Natural hazards: prediction, damages, etc; Stability; Water depth; experimental studies; floods; models; mechanics-based analysis; velocity; buoyancy; surface water; Floodwater; incipient velocity; human body stability; depth; instability; flumes; flume experiments; stability

Extreme flood events often lead to heavy casualties, with flood risk to humans varying with the flow conditions and the body attributes. Therefore, it is important to propose an appropriate criterion for the stability of a human body in floodwaters in the form of an incipient velocity. In this study...