Numerical simulation of a lava flow from Mount Etna

The project consists of simulating a lava flow from Mount Etna, dating back to the 2001 eruption, from the 2100 m high event. The project is part of a desire to simulate the evolution of this flow in the most reliable way possible using DASSAULT SYSTEMES XFlow SIMULIA software. The final objective is to predict the impact of geotechnical constructions (walls,...) built across its trajectory, in order to preserve pre-existing dwellings destroyed by the casting. The long-term objective is that this numerical simulation technique can be universally used as a pre-eruptive predictive device, adaptable to each type of eruption. The research process began with a three-week field campaign to collect lava samples. The study of these samples as well as the bibliographic research allowed us to know the different physico-chemical parameters of lava. At the same time, bibliographic research has enabled us to obtain a DTM (Digital Terrain Model), i.e. the topological surface of the area before the eruption. Subsequently, it was necessary to create a closed environment under CATIA to allow an internal flow of lava. Once this geometry has been created, it is then possible to export it to XFlow. In order to reduce the very high computation times, the geometry was cut to simulate the flow over 1 km from the exit point. The results obtained are quite representative for some, but the precision of the trajectory and the texture of the lava still need to be improved.