Simulation of Snow-Avalanche Flow in Run-Out Zones

Abstract

The authors of this paper have previously, in 1987, outlined the development of a set of constitutive equations representing the behaviour of avalanching snow, and the resulting equations for fully developed steady shear flow. The present paper considers the development of non-steady two-dimensional shear flow together with the use of a finite-difference programme to calculate snow-avalanche velocities and flow heights in the run-out zone. The numerical results thus obtained are compared with full-scale experimental data. These comparisons indicate that front velocity and run-out distance are simulated well by the model, and that the predicted snow deposits are fairly well in agreement with those actually observed.