Avalanche Mitigation

Dynamics Analysis for Expected Impacts and Related Parameters

An analysis of the dynamics of a potential avalanche provides such vital information as the expected velocities and impact pressures which a structure should be designed to.

The example profiles below are for a relatively simple, but real, path. The profile is very uniform and the slope is open with no channeling of the flow. Even in this case the different models used, which vary in their approach and in their treatment of parameters such as friction, give differing results. However, since the path geometry is simple they were able to be used to specify a reasonable range for expected impacts. This range is also in agreement with other factors such as statistical predictions for the runout distance.

Click on any of the profiles for a larger version.

[Up to Starting Zone] [AlpenPro Home]