Item: Measurements and Analysis of Full-Scale Avalanche Impact Pressure at the Vallee De La Sionne Test Site
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Title: Measurements and Analysis of Full-Scale Avalanche Impact Pressure at the Vallee De La Sionne Test Site
Proceedings: Proceedings of the 2006 International Snow Science Workshop, Telluride, Colorado
Authors:
- Betty Sovilla [ WSL, Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research Flüelastrasse, 11, CH-7260 Davos ]
- Mark Schaer [ Austrian Institute for Avalanche and Torrent Research, Innsbruck, Austria ]
- Lambert Rammer [ Austrian Institute for Avalanche and Torrent Research, Innsbruck, Austria ]
Date: 2006
Abstract: Impact pressures of eight snow avalanches measured at the Swiss avalanche test site Vallée de la Sionne are reported. Avalanche typologies varied between dense and powder. Measurements were performed on obstacles of different shape and dimension. High frequency pressure transducers, sampling at 7.5 kHz with circular diameters of 0.05, 0.10 and 0.25 m were mounted on a 20m high tubular pylon and on a 5 m high steel wedge. To interpret the influence of sensor dimension on impact pressure measurements, the total pressure exerted on the steel wedge was recorded using two biaxial sensors and compared to the pressure recorded by the single pressure cells. On a small concrete wall, a 1 m2 pressure plate mounted with 4 load-gauge bolts measured normal forces. At six locations along the tubular pylon (between 1-6 m above ground) optoelectronic sensors recorded the avalanche flow velocity. Flow depths were measured by mechanical sensors. Analysis of high resolution impact forces in combination with velocity measurements allowed us to reconstruct the flow structure. We combined impact pressure with avalanche structure to obtain load distribution and size effects for different avalanche typologies. Measured pressures are compared to existing guidelines procedures. It is shown that actual calculation formulas are not able to properly reproduce the measured pressure values and the load distribution.
Object ID: issw-2006-063-070.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Unknown
Keywords: avalanche impact pressure, load distribution, velocity, avalanche structure
Page Number(s): 63-70
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