Item: PRACTICAL EXPERIENCES WITH THE OPEN-SOURCE AVALANCHE SIMULATION TOOL AVAFRAME
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Title: PRACTICAL EXPERIENCES WITH THE OPEN-SOURCE AVALANCHE SIMULATION TOOL AVAFRAME
Proceedings: Proceedings, International Snow Science Workshop, Whistler, BC, Canada, 2026
Authors:
- Matthias Granig [ Avalanche and Torrent Control (WLV), Innsbruck, Austria ]
- Felix Oesterle [ Austrian Research Center for Forests (BFW), Innsbruck, Austria ]
- Engelbert Gleirscher [ Austrian Research Center for Forests (BFW), Innsbruck, Austria ]
Date: 2026-09-28
Abstract: Since 2023, the open-source avalanche simulation framework AvaFrame has been in operational use. Developed through a cooperation between the Austrian Avalanche and Torrent Control Service (WLV) and the Austrian Research Centre for Forests (BFW), AvaFrame is licensed under the European Union Public Licence (EUPL). The tool is now routinely applied by Austrian governmental organizations for hazard mapping and protection measure planning as well as by engineering offices for safety and technical surveys. AvaFrame comprises 15 functional modules covering input, computation, analysis, visualization, and reporting. A QGIS interface integrates the framework directly into existing practitioner workflows, facilitating both operational use and training courses for quality management. The current development extends the framework along operational and scientific tracks. Operational priorities include long-term user support, powder snow avalanche modelling via a depth-averaged approach, forest avalanche interaction (ForestFrame), snow slides (com5) and enhanced quality management through automated parameter optimization and standardized test catalogues. Scientific topics address entrainment and deposition processes, dam impact forces and systematic model intercomparison. Probabilistic scenario assessment is supported through parameter variation across multiple simulation runs. To support the model validation WLV and BFW recently installed a full-scale avalanche test site near Innsbruck featuring pressure and shear force measurements and radar-based flow measurements in a well-known avalanche path. Beyond snow avalanches AvaFrame expands towards other gravitational mass movements: the experimental module com6RockAvalanche enables the calculation of rock avalanches, while DebrisFrame, developed jointly with the BOKU University, extends the framework to debris flow simulation. Both projects are united under the OpenNHM (Open Natural Hazard Modelling) initiative to provide open-source tools for the assessment of alpine natural hazards.
Object ID: ISSW2026_O5.6.pdf
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15788/1790098620
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Matthias Granig
Keywords: avalanche modelling, AvaFrame, open-source tool, natural hazards, practical use.
Page Number(s): 1866 - 1870
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