Item: A New Mechanical Framework to Interpret Weak Layer and Slab Fracture in the Propagation Saw Test
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Title: A New Mechanical Framework to Interpret Weak Layer and Slab Fracture in the Propagation Saw Test
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop 2016 Proceedings, Breckenridge, CO, USA
Authors:
- Lorenzo Benedetti [ CIMNE - International Center for Numerical Methods in Engineering, Barcelona, Spain ] [ BFW – Austrian Research Centre for Forests, Department of Natural Hazards, Innsbruck, Austria ]
- Jan-Thomas Fischer [ BFW – Austrian Research Centre for Forests, Department of Natural Hazards, Innsbruck, Austria ]
- Johan Gaume [ WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF, Davos, Switzerland ] [ EPFL - Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland ]
Date: 2016-10-02
Abstract: This work aims to provide a mechanical model for the Propagation Saw Test (PST) based on the Euler-Bernoulli beam, allowing a description of the slab and weak layer stress states in the quasistatic regime. We assume an elastic-perfectly brittle model as constitutive law for both the snow slab, which can fracture for high tensile stresses, and the weak layer, which can fail under compressive or shear stress. The stress evolution is mainly determined by the crack length, which is initially created by the saw and, subsequently, increases due to weak layer failure in case of self-propagation. Thanks to the proposed method, the two main test outcomes -full propagation (END) and slab fracture (SF)- can be found as observed in field experiments. Moreover, the PST parameters can be studied separately, providing a powerful tool to understand the dependence of the outcome from numerous quantities in the test, both geometrical and mechanical.
Language of Article: English
Presenters:
Keywords: fracture, critical length, propagation length, mechanical model
Page Number(s): 937-941
Subjects: mechanical model critical length propagation saw test
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Digital Abstract Not Available
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