Rutschblock precision, technique variations and limitations
Abstract The Swiss rutschblock test provides practical information about the stability of snow slabs. However, its use by avalanche workers and ski guides is limited by the time required to perform the test and recommended minimum slope inclination (30°). The present study shows how time requirement...
| Published in: | Journal of Glaciology |
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| Main Authors: | , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
1993
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000016567 https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000016567 |
| Summary: | Abstract The Swiss rutschblock test provides practical information about the stability of snow slabs. However, its use by avalanche workers and ski guides is limited by the time required to perform the test and recommended minimum slope inclination (30°). The present study shows how time requirements can be reduced by cutting rutschblocks with cords or specialized saws — faster techniques that do not appear to affect the results. Comparing the rutschblock results with a stability index developed in Switzerland shows that the recommended minimum slope inclination can be reduced to 20°, provided a second person is present to observe the small block displacements associated with slope inclinations below 30°. Sets of rutschblocks on slopes that vary in inclination by 8° or more are used to determine the effect of slope inclination on rutschblock scores. Also, the frequency distributions of six large sets of repeated tests are used to estimate the precision of one or two tests on a uniform slope. |
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