Application of Lattice Boltzmann and Cellular Automata in Erosion Modeling for Deep-Water Turbidity Current

The objective of hybrid modeling is to obtain a balance of geological reality, the representation of spatial uncertainty with a fixed set of initial parameters and the capability of being conditioned to the hard data as well. Reasonable algorithms have been constructed in previous works (Pyrcz et al. 2003, 2005, Michael et al. 2008 and Leiva et al. 2009). However, realism of erosion and deposition, which were modeled by applying simple geological rules, is still dissatisfying. One reason is that no real physics equation for flow motions area considered, which is an important factor determining erosion. Another reason is that erosion rules should be applied locally, accounting for complex bed surface and flow conditions. In this study, we test a coupled scheme that is expected to incorporate physical equations into hybrid model and is capable to apply erosion rules locally. 2D Saint Venant Equations are adopted for modeling flow using Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM). The primary advantage of LBM is the ease of implementing boundary condition with complex geometries. Bed surface processes are modeled in a Generalized Cellular Automata (GCA) model, which can apply specific erosion rules in local neighborhoods. 1D tests have been made to verify feasibility and accuracy of the models. The coupled is scheme is tested to be feasible, however, further studies are required to extended to 2-D, implement real flow physics of turbidity flow and to improve erosion rules.