Scale Modeling of Snow–Avalanche Impact on Structures

Abstract Small–scale modeling of flow and impact of snow avalanches is demonstrated to be both feasible and accurate. Geometric, kinematic, and force variables are scaled correctly under equivalence of Froude number between prototype and model using sifted snow as the model fluid. Physical and compu...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Glaciology
Main Authors: Lang, T. E., Dent, J.D.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1980
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000010728
https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000010728
Description
Summary:Abstract Small–scale modeling of flow and impact of snow avalanches is demonstrated to be both feasible and accurate. Geometric, kinematic, and force variables are scaled correctly under equivalence of Froude number between prototype and model using sifted snow as the model fluid. Physical and computer–simulated impact processes show correspondence, so that computer modeling is demonstrated to be a viable tool in flow and impact predictions.