Item: Comparison of ECT, RB, Threshold Sum and Relative Threshold Sum Approach to To Snowpack Instability Evaluation - New Results
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Title: Comparison of ECT, RB, Threshold Sum and Relative Threshold Sum Approach to To Snowpack Instability Evaluation - New Results
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop 2016 Proceedings, Breckenridge, CO, USA
Authors:
- Igor Chiambretti [ AINEVA, Trento, Italy ]
- Fabiano Monti [ ALPsolut, Livigno, Italy ]
- Mauro Valt [ ARPA Veneto CVA - AINEVA, Arabba, Italy ] [ AINEVA, Trento, Italy ]
Date: 2016-10-02
Abstract: The Italian regional avalanche forecasting services (AINEVA) collect snowpack observations such as snowpack profiles or stability tests on a daily or weekly base both itinerant or at fixed study plots. Snow stratigraphy data need to be interpreted by the avalanche forecasters in order to estimate the actual snow stability. Reducing the interpretation subjectivity is the main goal of both the Threshold Sum (TSA) or Relative Threshold Sum (RTA) approaches. During the period 2010-2015 the AINEVA snow observers collected a dataset consisting of more than 800 snow profiles coupled with stability tests (ECT and/or RB). In this work, the snow stability forecasts obtained by snow stratigraphy analyses and snow stability tests are compared integrating the results of previous studies. Moreover, side-by-side ECT and RB tests have been compared in order to asses the ECT versus RB effectiveness for discriminating the main weak layers, their propensity to crack initiation and propagation and finding relations, through the integration with data from snowpack profiles analysis, between load steps, fracture character and depth, quality shear and weak layer characteristics. The analysis made it possible to better characterize the most common weak layers of snow cover on the Italian Alps in terms of thickness, grain type, depth and mechanical response to stability tests.
Object ID: ISSW16_P3.05.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s):
Keywords: rutschblock (RB), extended column test (ECT), Structural instability indices, Threshold Sum (TSA), Relative Threshold Sum (RTA)
Page Number(s): 953-958
Subjects: avalanche forecasting stability test snow stratigraphy
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