Modeling of crack propagation in weak snowpack layers using the discrete element method
Dry-snow slab avalanches are generally caused by a sequence of fracture processes including (1) failure initiation in a weak snow layer underlying a cohesive slab, (2) crack propagation within the weak layer and (3) tensile fracture through the slab which leads to its detachment. During the past dec...
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fttriple:oai:gotriple.eu:oai:doaj.org/article:cacf17119781478180f91e74b3d9a7a9 2023-05-15T18:32:22+02:00 Modeling of crack propagation in weak snowpack layers using the discrete element method J. Gaume A. van Herwijnen G. Chambon K. W. Birkeland J. Schweizer 2015-10-01 https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-1915-2015 http://www.the-cryosphere.net/9/1915/2015/tc-9-1915-2015.pdf https://doaj.org/article/cacf17119781478180f91e74b3d9a7a9 en eng Copernicus Publications 1994-0416 1994-0424 doi:10.5194/tc-9-1915-2015 http://www.the-cryosphere.net/9/1915/2015/tc-9-1915-2015.pdf https://doaj.org/article/cacf17119781478180f91e74b3d9a7a9 undefined The Cryosphere, Vol 9, Iss 5, Pp 1915-1932 (2015) geo info Journal Article https://vocabularies.coar-repositories.org/resource_types/c_6501/ 2015 fttriple https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-1915-2015 2023-01-22T18:11:43Z Dry-snow slab avalanches are generally caused by a sequence of fracture processes including (1) failure initiation in a weak snow layer underlying a cohesive slab, (2) crack propagation within the weak layer and (3) tensile fracture through the slab which leads to its detachment. During the past decades, theoretical and experimental work has gradually led to a better understanding of the fracture process in snow involving the collapse of the structure in the weak layer during fracture. This now allows us to better model failure initiation and the onset of crack propagation, i.e., to estimate the critical length required for crack propagation. On the other hand, our understanding of dynamic crack propagation and fracture arrest propensity is still very limited. To shed more light on this issue, we performed numerical propagation saw test (PST) experiments applying the discrete element (DE) method and compared the numerical results with field measurements based on particle tracking. The goal is to investigate the influence of weak layer failure and the mechanical properties of the slab on crack propagation and fracture arrest propensity. Crack propagation speeds and distances before fracture arrest were derived from the DE simulations for different snowpack configurations and mechanical properties. Then, in order to compare the numerical and experimental results, the slab mechanical properties (Young's modulus and strength) which are not measured in the field were derived from density. The simulations nicely reproduced the process of crack propagation observed in field PSTs. Finally, the mechanical processes at play were analyzed in depth which led to suggestions for minimum column length in field PSTs. Article in Journal/Newspaper The Cryosphere Unknown The Cryosphere 9 5 1915 1932 |
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geo info J. Gaume A. van Herwijnen G. Chambon K. W. Birkeland J. Schweizer Modeling of crack propagation in weak snowpack layers using the discrete element method |
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description |
Dry-snow slab avalanches are generally caused by a sequence of fracture processes including (1) failure initiation in a weak snow layer underlying a cohesive slab, (2) crack propagation within the weak layer and (3) tensile fracture through the slab which leads to its detachment. During the past decades, theoretical and experimental work has gradually led to a better understanding of the fracture process in snow involving the collapse of the structure in the weak layer during fracture. This now allows us to better model failure initiation and the onset of crack propagation, i.e., to estimate the critical length required for crack propagation. On the other hand, our understanding of dynamic crack propagation and fracture arrest propensity is still very limited. To shed more light on this issue, we performed numerical propagation saw test (PST) experiments applying the discrete element (DE) method and compared the numerical results with field measurements based on particle tracking. The goal is to investigate the influence of weak layer failure and the mechanical properties of the slab on crack propagation and fracture arrest propensity. Crack propagation speeds and distances before fracture arrest were derived from the DE simulations for different snowpack configurations and mechanical properties. Then, in order to compare the numerical and experimental results, the slab mechanical properties (Young's modulus and strength) which are not measured in the field were derived from density. The simulations nicely reproduced the process of crack propagation observed in field PSTs. Finally, the mechanical processes at play were analyzed in depth which led to suggestions for minimum column length in field PSTs. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
J. Gaume A. van Herwijnen G. Chambon K. W. Birkeland J. Schweizer |
author_facet |
J. Gaume A. van Herwijnen G. Chambon K. W. Birkeland J. Schweizer |
author_sort |
J. Gaume |
title |
Modeling of crack propagation in weak snowpack layers using the discrete element method |
title_short |
Modeling of crack propagation in weak snowpack layers using the discrete element method |
title_full |
Modeling of crack propagation in weak snowpack layers using the discrete element method |
title_fullStr |
Modeling of crack propagation in weak snowpack layers using the discrete element method |
title_full_unstemmed |
Modeling of crack propagation in weak snowpack layers using the discrete element method |
title_sort |
modeling of crack propagation in weak snowpack layers using the discrete element method |
publisher |
Copernicus Publications |
publishDate |
2015 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-1915-2015 http://www.the-cryosphere.net/9/1915/2015/tc-9-1915-2015.pdf https://doaj.org/article/cacf17119781478180f91e74b3d9a7a9 |
genre |
The Cryosphere |
genre_facet |
The Cryosphere |
op_source |
The Cryosphere, Vol 9, Iss 5, Pp 1915-1932 (2015) |
op_relation |
1994-0416 1994-0424 doi:10.5194/tc-9-1915-2015 http://www.the-cryosphere.net/9/1915/2015/tc-9-1915-2015.pdf https://doaj.org/article/cacf17119781478180f91e74b3d9a7a9 |
op_rights |
undefined |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-1915-2015 |
container_title |
The Cryosphere |
container_volume |
9 |
container_issue |
5 |
container_start_page |
1915 |
op_container_end_page |
1932 |
_version_ |
1766216474998865920 |