Item: Modeling a Fluid/Solid Transition in Snow Weak Layers Application to Snow Avalanche Release
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Title: Modeling a Fluid/Solid Transition in Snow Weak Layers Application to Snow Avalanche Release
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop Grenoble – Chamonix Mont-Blanc - October 07-11, 2013
Authors:
- François Louchet [ Data-avalanche.org, 284 chemin du Pré Roudon, 38410 St Martin d'Uriage, France ] [ Laboratoire de Glaciologie et de Géophysique de l’Environnement, UJF-Grenoble 1/CNRS, BP 96, 38402 St Martin d’Hères Cedex, France ]
- Alain Duclos [ Data-avalanche.org, 15 rue de la Buidonnière, 73500 Aussois, France ]
- Stephane Caffo [ Data-avalanche.org, 15 rue de la Buidonnière, 73500 Aussois, France ]
Date: 2013-10-07
Abstract: A transition between solid and a fluid-like phases was evidenced and studied in the material made of loose ice crystals involved in snow avalanche release. A kinetic model is proposed, showing the existence of a transition between a fluid phase and a solid structure, for a given stress level. The model accounts for the observed characteristics of the transition, and may be applied to a number of other granular materials. It is applied here to slab avalanche release, and predicts avalanching for slopes steeper than a critical value, estimated around 30o in typical snow cover conditions.
Object ID: ISSW13_paper_P1-11.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Unknown
Keywords: slab, triggering, weak layer, collapse, shear, whumpf
Page Number(s): 270-277
Subjects: slab avalanche avalanche triggering weak layers
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