A. Armanini - CUDAM, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Trento, via Mesiano, Trento, Italy
C. Dalrì - CUDAM, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Trento, via Mesiano, Trento, Italy
F. Della Putta - CUDAM, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Trento, via Mesiano, Trento, Italy
M. Larcher - CUDAM, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Trento, via Mesiano, Trento, Italy

The paper analyses the hydraulic efficiency of mudflow breakers. These structures are usually located inside a deposition basin with the purpose to localize dissipative phenomena in restricted areas and to reduce the destructive power of mudflow. In this way it is possible to minimize the part of the bottom of the basin to be protected, reducing negative environmental impacts and building costs. The investigation provides for the positioning of mudflow breakers in two rows being sufficient to absorb most of the kinetic energy of the incoming debris flow. Results were finalized to design some defense structures for the village of Sarno (Campania – Italy) that was partially destroyed by a mudflow on May 5th 1998.