Analysis and Modeling of Self-Rescue Possibilities for Pedestrians in the Aftermath of Destabilization during a Flood Event

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

2:45 PM – 3:00 PM Alaska Daylight Time (AKDT)

Room: Room 5

Author(s)

Xin Guo

Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture,, United States

Co-Author(s)

Wenhai Wang, PhD

Professor
Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, United States
Xing Fang, PhD

Professor
Auburn University, Alabama, United States
Yongwei Gong, PhD

Professor
Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, United States
Junqi Li, PhD

Professor
Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, United States
Mengying Wang

Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, United States
Xiaojing Li

Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture,, United States

Abstract Submission: Human safety is paramount during a flood event. Current research indicates that the majority of fatalities in such a disaster are due to people moving in flood water. Existing studies on human stability in floods have primarily focused on the static resistance of a standing posture against water flow, neglecting the realistic scenario where people need to move and attempt self-rescue in the aftermath of destabilization. In this study, we performed an analysis of the stability during the self-rescue process following a fall in flood waters, providing insights into the baseline risks of human impact in floods through CFD modeling and necessary experiments. The self-rescue process is defined as the recovery to a standing position after a fall, segmented into four postures: sitting, kneeling, squatting, and standing. Additionally, considering the significant variability of the current method (𝐷×𝑣 water depth multiplied by flow velocity) used to assess human stability in floods, we thoroughly investigated previously undefined parameters, including submerged volume, frontal area, wet friction coefficient, and flow resistance coefficient. This leads to the development of a physically meaningful self-rescue risk assessment formula, which is validated against previous studies for accuracy, with the aim of contributing new insights to flood risk management and public education.

Learning Objectives/Expected Outcome (Optional) :