Experimental study of dense snow avalanches: velocity profiles in steady and fully developed flows

Abstract

AbstractIn order to study channelled snow flows over rough surfaces, a laboratory-scale experiment was installed at the “Col du Lac Blanc”, a 2800 m high pass in the French Alps, near the Alpe d’Huez ski resort. It consists of a 0.2 mwide, 10 m long channel fed with snow by a motorized hopper. Both the slope of the channel and the feeding rate of the hopper can be modified. Sensors in the channel provide measurements of the velocity profile, the flow height and the shear and normal stresses at the bottom of the flow. Velocity profiles for different slopes are presented in this paper. Results indicate the presence of a highly active layer at the bottom. This layer is mainly responsible for the avalanche velocity, while the upper layer has a much smaller velocity gradient. A first interpretation of both layers is given.