A closed-form model for layered snow slabs
We propose a closed-form analytical model for the mechanical behavior of stratified snow covers for the purpose of investigating and predicting the physical processes that lead to the formation of dry-snow slab avalanches. We represent the system of a stratified snow slab covering a collapsible weak...
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Copernicus Publications
2023
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ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:3920e359e99c4ec89b14125ff89af823 2023-05-15T18:32:28+02:00 A closed-form model for layered snow slabs P. Weißgraeber P. L. Rosendahl 2023-04-01T00:00:00Z https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-1475-2023 https://doaj.org/article/3920e359e99c4ec89b14125ff89af823 EN eng Copernicus Publications https://tc.copernicus.org/articles/17/1475/2023/tc-17-1475-2023.pdf https://doaj.org/toc/1994-0416 https://doaj.org/toc/1994-0424 doi:10.5194/tc-17-1475-2023 1994-0416 1994-0424 https://doaj.org/article/3920e359e99c4ec89b14125ff89af823 The Cryosphere, Vol 17, Pp 1475-1496 (2023) Environmental sciences GE1-350 Geology QE1-996.5 article 2023 ftdoajarticles https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-1475-2023 2023-04-09T00:33:04Z We propose a closed-form analytical model for the mechanical behavior of stratified snow covers for the purpose of investigating and predicting the physical processes that lead to the formation of dry-snow slab avalanches. We represent the system of a stratified snow slab covering a collapsible weak layer by a beam composed of an arbitrary number of layers supported by an anisotropic elastic foundation in a two-dimensional plane-strain model. The model makes use of laminate mechanics and provides slab deformations, stresses in the weak layer, and energy release rates of weak-layer anticracks in real time. The quantities can be used in failure models of avalanche release. The closed-form solution accounts for the layering-induced coupling of bending and extension in the slab and of shear and normal stresses in the weak layer. It is validated against experimentally recorded displacement fields and a comprehensive finite-element model indicating very good agreement. We show that layered slabs cannot be homogenized into equivalent isotropic bodies and reveal the impact of layering on bridging with respect to weak-layer stresses and energy release rates. It is demonstrated that inclined propagation saw tests allow for the determination of mixed-mode weak-layer fracture toughnesses. Our results suggest that such tests are dominated by mode I when cut upslope and comprise significant mode II contributions when cut downslope. A Python implementation of the presented model is publicly available as part of the Weak Layer Anticrack Nucleation Model (WEAC) software package under https://github.com/2phi/weac (last access: 28 March 2023) and https://pypi.org/project/weac (last access: 28 March 2023, Rosendahl and Weißgraeber , 2022 ) . Article in Journal/Newspaper The Cryosphere Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles The Cryosphere 17 4 1475 1496 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles |
op_collection_id |
ftdoajarticles |
language |
English |
topic |
Environmental sciences GE1-350 Geology QE1-996.5 |
spellingShingle |
Environmental sciences GE1-350 Geology QE1-996.5 P. Weißgraeber P. L. Rosendahl A closed-form model for layered snow slabs |
topic_facet |
Environmental sciences GE1-350 Geology QE1-996.5 |
description |
We propose a closed-form analytical model for the mechanical behavior of stratified snow covers for the purpose of investigating and predicting the physical processes that lead to the formation of dry-snow slab avalanches. We represent the system of a stratified snow slab covering a collapsible weak layer by a beam composed of an arbitrary number of layers supported by an anisotropic elastic foundation in a two-dimensional plane-strain model. The model makes use of laminate mechanics and provides slab deformations, stresses in the weak layer, and energy release rates of weak-layer anticracks in real time. The quantities can be used in failure models of avalanche release. The closed-form solution accounts for the layering-induced coupling of bending and extension in the slab and of shear and normal stresses in the weak layer. It is validated against experimentally recorded displacement fields and a comprehensive finite-element model indicating very good agreement. We show that layered slabs cannot be homogenized into equivalent isotropic bodies and reveal the impact of layering on bridging with respect to weak-layer stresses and energy release rates. It is demonstrated that inclined propagation saw tests allow for the determination of mixed-mode weak-layer fracture toughnesses. Our results suggest that such tests are dominated by mode I when cut upslope and comprise significant mode II contributions when cut downslope. A Python implementation of the presented model is publicly available as part of the Weak Layer Anticrack Nucleation Model (WEAC) software package under https://github.com/2phi/weac (last access: 28 March 2023) and https://pypi.org/project/weac (last access: 28 March 2023, Rosendahl and Weißgraeber , 2022 ) . |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
P. Weißgraeber P. L. Rosendahl |
author_facet |
P. Weißgraeber P. L. Rosendahl |
author_sort |
P. Weißgraeber |
title |
A closed-form model for layered snow slabs |
title_short |
A closed-form model for layered snow slabs |
title_full |
A closed-form model for layered snow slabs |
title_fullStr |
A closed-form model for layered snow slabs |
title_full_unstemmed |
A closed-form model for layered snow slabs |
title_sort |
closed-form model for layered snow slabs |
publisher |
Copernicus Publications |
publishDate |
2023 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-1475-2023 https://doaj.org/article/3920e359e99c4ec89b14125ff89af823 |
genre |
The Cryosphere |
genre_facet |
The Cryosphere |
op_source |
The Cryosphere, Vol 17, Pp 1475-1496 (2023) |
op_relation |
https://tc.copernicus.org/articles/17/1475/2023/tc-17-1475-2023.pdf https://doaj.org/toc/1994-0416 https://doaj.org/toc/1994-0424 doi:10.5194/tc-17-1475-2023 1994-0416 1994-0424 https://doaj.org/article/3920e359e99c4ec89b14125ff89af823 |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-1475-2023 |
container_title |
The Cryosphere |
container_volume |
17 |
container_issue |
4 |
container_start_page |
1475 |
op_container_end_page |
1496 |
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1766216576745340928 |