Interaction of pyroclastic flows with building structures in an urban settlement: a fluid-dynamic simulation impact model

A fluid-dynamic model has been used to simulate pyroclastic flow–urban settlement interactions. The geometrical model used here accounts for part of the Torre del Greco suburb within the urban sector facing Vesuvius. The partial differential equations of mass, momentum and turbulent energy balance have been integrated using a finite element method on a 3-D domain. The simulation has been limited both to the isothermal case and the stationary boundary conditions. The results show a partial shielding effect of structures closer to the volcano on structures behind them as well as a total pressure waning pattern along the mean direction of the pyroclastic flow.