International Snow Science Workshop Proceedings - Montana State University Library

Item: Granulation experiments with snow in a rotating drum

• • Title: Granulation experiments with snow in a rotating drum

    Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop Proceedings 2018, Innsbruck, Austria

    Authors:

    • Kilian Heil  [ BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Department of Civil Engineering and Natural Hazards, Vienna, Austria ]
    • Jan-Thomas Fischer  [ Austrian Research Centre for Forests (BFW), Department of Natural Hazards, Innsbruck, Austria ]
    • Ingrid Reiweger  [ BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Department of Civil Engineering and Natural Hazards, Vienna, Austria ]
    • Roland Kaitna  [ BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Department of Civil Engineering and Natural Hazards, Vienna, Austria ]

    Date: 2018-10-07

    Abstract: The flow behaviour of avalanches is strongly influenced by the mechanical and thermal properties of the flowing snow. We are particularly interested in the transition of flow regimes, i.e. between loose, flowing snow and the formation of snow granules. Previous studies showed that the granulation was particularly pronounced at temperatures above -1°C. As exact measurements in the field pose considerable challenges, we investigated the flow behaviour and granulation of snow under controlled laboratory conditions, yet at a scale as large as possible. We therefore used a vertically rotating drum with a diameter of 2.5 m and a rectangular cross section of 0.45 m to create a continuous flowing of snow. Our experiments were carried out at temperatures between -5°C and +10°C and tangential velocities between 0.1 and 1.9 m/s. To avoid basal slip semi-circular roughness elements with a height of 10 mm were installed. We could well reproduce the above mentioned temperature threshold for the granulation of flowing snow. Additionally, we present measurement results of snow temperature, the liquid water content of snow, snow density, as well as flow geometry over time. Our study aims to increase the understanding of the transition between different flow regimes which are believed to strongly influence impact pressure and runout distances.

    Object ID: ISSW2018_P01.16.pdf

    Language of Article: English

    Presenter(s):

    Keywords: snow, avalanche, granulation, flow.

    Page Number(s): 94-97

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