Propagation Of Avalanches Research Articles

Coupled size and temperature effects on intermittent plasticity of BCC micro-crystals

The intermittent plasticity of pure Mo microcrystals with diameters from 500 to 3500 nm was studied using micro-pillar compression methodology at temperatures ranging from 25 °C to 200 °C, in order to explore its dependence on external size and temperature. The technological background is the potential value of BCC metals in the manufacture of high-temperature components in modern fields requiring miniaturization, such as microelectronics. We analyzed plastic fluctuations in terms of wildness, avalanche size distribution, and burst peak velocity. This reveals coupled size and temperature effects on a mild-to-wild transition: the transition temperature decreases with decreasing sample diameter, while the transition diameter increases with rising temperature. In addition, strain-rate sensitivity tests were conducted, implying that mild plasticity is associated to screw dislocation motions controlled by thermally activated nucleation of kink-pairs, whereas wild plasticity is nearly athermal. This experimental observation is interpreted by a damping effect of the thermally activated motion of screw dislocations on the propagation of avalanches. From this, we propose a controlling parameter based on a simple dislocation source model, which unifies the coupled sample size and temperature effects on the mild-to-wild transition, and which could be of practical significance for microscale applications.

Comparison of two 2-D numerical models for snow avalanche simulation

Snow avalanches are gravitational processes characterised by the rapid movement of a snow mass, threatening inhabitants and damaging infrastructure in mountain areas. Such phenomena are complex events, and for this reason, different numerical models have been developed to reproduce their dynamics over a given topography. In this study, we focus on the two-dimensional numerical simulation tools RAMMS::AVALANCHE and FLO-2D, aiming to compare their performance in predicting the deposition area of snow avalanches. We also aim to assess the employment of the FLO-2D simulation model, normally used in water flood or mud/debris flow simulations, in predicting the motion of snow avalanches. For this purpose, two well-documented avalanche events that occurred in the Province of Bolzano (IT) were analyzed (Knollgraben, Pichler Erschbaum avalanches). The deposition area of each case study was simulated with both models through back-analysis processes. The simulation results were evaluated primarily by comparing the simulated deposition area with the observed one through statistical indices. Subsequently, the maximum flow depth, velocity and deposition depth were also compared between the simulation results. The results showed that RAMMS::AVALANCHE generally reproduced the observed deposits better compared to FLO-2D simulation. FLO-2D provided suitable results for wet and dry snow avalanches after a meticulous calibration of the rheological parameters, since they are not those typically considered in avalanche rheology studies. The results showed that FLO-2D can be used to study the propagation of snow avalanches and could also be adopted by practitioners to define hazard areas, expanding its field of application.

Study of dislocation dynamics of copper single crystals under cycling loading through acoustic emission and microstructural characterizations

During plastic deformation of crystalline materials, a soft plasticity, made of numerous uncorrelated dislocation movements coexists with a wilder plasticity, in the form of collaborative movements: dislocation avalanches. The coexistence of the two plasticities depends on the establishment of a dislocation structure, which is supposed to hinder the propagation of avalanches. We propose to study the correlation between the microstructural evolution of the dislocation arrangements and the nature of the dislocation dynamics, during cyclic loading of pure copper single crystals. Different fatigue tests with imposed stress amplitude are performed to study the influence of (i) the loading path, (ii) the loading ratio and (iii) the crystallographic orientation on the plasticity phenomena. The acoustic emission (AE) technique is used to study both types of plasticity : the continuous AE is associated with soft plasticity and the discrete AE with wild plasticity. The dislocation microstructures are studied using EBSD (crystal disorientation) and ECCI (Electron Channeling Contrast Imaging) techniques at the end of each fatigue stage. The AE-ECCI coupling gives valuable information about the dislocation dynamics of dislocations. This study shows a certain universality, with (i) the existence of dislocation avalanches, produced during a more or less deep reorganization of the structures, (ii) a progressive evolution, during the cycles, of the dislocation mean free path, associated with the emergence of a dislocation structure and (iii) an inhibition of avalanches during the emergence of a dislocation arrangement. EWGAE 35, Ljubljana, Slovenia, 13th – 16th Sep. www.ewg

AVALANCHES IN A SHORT-MEMORY EXCITABLE NETWORK.

We study propagation of avalanches in a certain excitable network. The model is a particular case of the one introduced in [24], and is mathematically equivalent to an endemic variation of the Reed-Frost epidemic model introduced in [28]. Two types of heuristic approximation are frequently used for models of this type in applications, a branching process for avalanches of a small size at the beginning of the process and a deterministic dynamical system once the avalanche spreads to a significant fraction of a large network. In this paper we prove several results concerning the exact relation between the avalanche model and these limits, including rates of convergence and rigorous bounds for common characteristics of the model.

Erosion-deposition dynamics and long distance propagation of granular avalanches

Abstract

Effects of artificial barriers on the propagation of debris avalanches

The paper deals with the effects of artificial barriers on the dynamic features of unconfined flows such as debris avalanches in coarse-grained materials. These phenomena are often responsible for damage to structures and risk to human life. Artificial barriers could mitigate those threats by reducing the flow velocity and the runout distance as well as diverting the flow towards lateral zones constrained by the barriers. A quasi-3D SPH hydro-mechanically coupled model was used to simulate the propagation heights and velocities, the evolution of pore water pressures inside the flow and the entrainment of additional material from the ground surface during the propagation stage. The numerical simulations referred to (i) simple topography resembling typical in situ conditions and (ii) the case history of Nocera Inferiore (Southern Italy) where a destructive debris avalanche occurred in 2005. Different scenarios were analysed relative to the number, type and location of the artificial barriers. The numerical results highlight the variations in propagation pattern, velocity and deposition thickness of the flows, which may occur in presence of artificial barriers. Indications on favourable type and location of barriers are provided both for the simple topography and for the specific case study.

Modular co-organization of functional connectivity and scale-free dynamics in the human brain.

Scale-free neuronal dynamics and interareal correlations are emergent characteristics of spontaneous brain activity. How such dynamics and the anatomical patterns of neuronal connectivity are mutually related in brain networks has, however, remained unclear. We addressed this relationship by quantifying the network colocalization of scale-free neuronal activity—both neuronal avalanches and long-range temporal correlations (LRTCs)—and functional connectivity (FC) by means of intracranial and noninvasive human resting-state electrophysiological recordings. We found frequency-specific colocalization of scale-free dynamics and FC so that the interareal couplings of LRTCs and the propagation of neuronal avalanches were most pronounced in the predominant pathways of FC. Several control analyses and the frequency specificity of network colocalization showed that the results were not trivial by-products of either brain dynamics or our analysis approach. Crucially, scale-free neuronal dynamics and connectivity also had colocalized modular structures at multiple levels of network organization, suggesting that modules of FC would be endowed with partially independent dynamic states. These findings thus suggest that FC and scale-free dynamics—hence, putatively, neuronal criticality as well—coemerge in a hierarchically modular structure in which the modules are characterized by dense connectivity, avalanche propagation, and shared dynamic states.

Numerical simulation on the flux avalanche behaviors of microstructured superconducting thin films

Controlling and suppressing the propagation of magnetic flux avalanches is an important issue for the application of type-II superconductors. The effects of engineered pinning centers (antidots) on the guidance of flux avalanche propagation paths in type-II superconducting thin films are numerically investigated by solving the coupled nonlinear Maxwell's equations and the thermal diffusion equations. The field dependence of critical current density is considered in the simulation in this paper. Dynamic propagations of the thermomagnetic avalanches within the superconducting films patterned with different arrangements of antidots (like random, periodic square, and conformal mapping arrays) are presented. We reveal that presence of the antidots significantly modifies the propagation paths of the avalanches. The flux avalanche patterns of the superconducting films change with the variation of the arrangements of antidots. The patterned antidots in the form of conformal mapping arrays within the superconducting film exhibit strong guidance to the thermomagnetic avalanches. In addition, introducing the antidots in the form of conformal mapping arrays into the superconducting film can effectively lower the magnetic flux jump sizes.

Fragmentation and boosting of rock falls and rock avalanches

Fragmentation has been proposed as an important dynamical process in the propagation of rock avalanches. The occurrence of an intense block fragmentation inside a rock avalanche traveling on smooth inclined terrain followed by a flat region (a geometry common to many landslides) is first studied numerically by means of a discrete element 2-D code in which blocks are subjected to mutual collisions and impact with the terrain. This numerical model confirms that the locations where fragmentation is more likely to occur are those in correspondence of abrupt slope changes. We thus analyze this geometry of impact in two cases: low- and high-impact energy. In the first case, where recent experimental data are available, a kinematic analysis shows that the energy released at impact causes high velocities of the smallest fragments, a highly probable scenario in rock avalanche dynamics. When the impact is so energetic to disintegrate the landslide, we find that explosive fragmentation at the slope break provides an extra horizontal boost to a rock avalanche via a peculiar mechanism coupling the geometry of the slope path to the dynamics of the rock avalanche. As a consequence, a net momentum gain (boost) results along the horizontal direction due to the terrain asymmetry. However, under normal field conditions, only when the slope angle is greater than 70° and fragmentation produces clasts of fairly uniform size, the momentum and runout distance are significantly enhanced. Allowing for a spectrum of fragment sizes and velocities, we find a relationship between the degree of fragmentation and the magnitude of the extra boost.

A two-layer depth-averaged approach to describe the regime stratification in collapses of dry granular columns

The dynamics of dry granular flows is still insufficiently understood. Several depth-averaged approaches, where the flow motion is described through hydrodynamic-like models with suitable resistance laws, have been proposed in the last decades to describe the propagation of avalanches and debris flows. Yet, some important features of the granular flow dynamics cannot be well delivered. For example, it is very challenging to capture the progressive deposition process, observed in collapses and dam-break flows over rough beds, where an upper surface flow is found to coexist with a lower creeping flow. The experimental observations of such flows suggest the existence of a flow regime stratification caused by different momentum transfer mechanisms. In this work, we propose a two-layer depth-averaged model, aiming at describing such a stratification regime inside the flowing granular mass. The model equations are derived for both two-dimensional plane and axi-symmetric flows. Mass and momentum balances of each layer are considered separately, so that different constitutive laws are introduced. The proposed model is equipped with a closure equation accounting for the mass flux at the interface between the layers. Numerical results are compared with experimental data of axi-symmetric granular collapses to validate the proposed approach. The model delivers sound agreement with experimental data when the initial aspect ratios are small. In case of large initial aspect ratios, it yields a significant improvement in predicting the final shape of deposit and also the run-out distances. Further comparisons with different numerical models show that the two-layer approach is capable of correctly describing the main features of the final deposit also in the case of two-dimensional granular collapses.

Limiting thermomagnetic avalanches in superconducting films by stop-holes

It is demonstrated that circular holes in superconducting films of Nb can arrest the propagation of thermomagnetic avalanches. The effect was found over a range of temperatures where the material is susceptible to this instability. For other hole shapes, like square and triangular, the sharp corners provoke secondary avalanches, thus extending the breakdown. Making use of circular stop-holes can become a practical way to limit thermomagnetic breakdown in superconducting films.

Monte Carlo simulation of positive corona discharge in SF6

Gas-insulated systems are now a major component of power transmission and distribution systems all over the world. There has been considerable interest in non-thermal discharges over the past decade due to the increased number of industrial applications. Diverse applications demand a solid physical and chemical understanding of the operational principals of such discharges. This paper focuses on the most important and widely used variety of non-thermal discharges, the corona discharge. Positive corona in SF6 is studied for a point to plane electrode gap using Monte Carlo simulation technique. The initiation and development of successive avalanches are traced as function of time. The simulation provides a detailed structure of avalanches from which essential properties of corona discharge with regard to total field distribution, propagation of successive avalanches and ion distribution can be discerned.

The avalanche process in gold covered MgB2 films

Below a certain threshold temperature, the critical state of superconducting thin films can become unstable, which results in large magnetic flux jumps, called flux avalanches. The phenomenon of magnetic flux avalanches is strongly connected to the thermal and electrical conductivity in the material. Enhancing both by metallic cover layers on the superconducting film can suppress the magnetic avalanches. It was found that it is feasible to subdivide the avalanche process into a formation and a propagation step. In this work we want to address the question regarding the stage at which the metallic cover layer influences the avalanche mechanism. The investigations are carried out on thin MgB2 films with an inhomogeneous current density distribution, where both the formation and propagation of magnetic flux avalanches are highly supported. Evaporating a gold cover layer on top of the inhomogeneous MgB2 films leads to a suppression of the instabilities in this case. Magnetization measurements and magneto-optical imaging are used to observe the instabilities in pure MgB2 films and MgB2 films covered with gold layers. We investigate how the two steps of the avalanche process, nucleation and propagation, are influenced by the additional gold layer. We find a particular influence on the initial phase of the avalanche formation.

Ultrafast Spin Avalanches in Crystals of Nanomagnets in Terms of Magnetic Detonation

Recent experiments [W. Decelle et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 027203 (2009)] have discovered ultrafast propagation of spin avalanches in crystals of nanomagnets, which is 3 orders of magnitude faster than the traditionally studied magnetic deflagration. The new regime has been hypothetically identified as magnetic detonation. Here we demonstrate unequivocally the possibility of magnetic detonation in the crystals, as a front consisting of a leading shock and a zone of Zeeman energy release. We study the key features of the process and find that the magnetic detonation speed only slightly exceeds the sound speed in agreement with the experimental observations. For combustion science, our results provide a unique physical example of extremely weak detonation.

MAGNETIC AVALANCHES IN MOLECULAR NANOMAGNETS

The magnetization of the prototypical molecular magnet Mn 12-acetate exhibits a series of sharp steps at low temperatures due to quantum tunneling at specific resonant values of magnetic field applied along the easy c-axis. An abrupt reversal of the magnetic moment of such a crystal can also occur as an avalanche, where the spin reversal proceeds along a "deflagration" front that travels through the sample at subsonic speed. In this article, we review experimental results that have been obtained for the ignition temperature and the speed of propagation of magnetic avalanches in molecular nanomagnets. Fits of the data with the theory of magnetic deflagration yield overall qualitative agreement. However, numerical discrepancies indicate that our understanding of these avalanches is incomplete.

On the inception of streamers from sprite halo events produced by lightning discharges with positive and negative polarity

[1] In the sprite halo events produced by cloud-to-ground lightning discharges, the spatial offsets, long delays, and polarity asymmetry related to the inception of sprite streamers are yet to be explained consistently with observations. In the present work, we use a two-dimensional model and a high-resolution one-dimensional plasma fluid model accounting for electron impact ionization, dissociative attachment, and photoionization processes to simulate halo events. In order to monitor the inception of sprite streamers, that cannot be modeled with present computer resources in the framework of fluid models, we use an improved avalanche-to-streamer transition criterion and investigate the response of the lower ionosphere to the charge moment changes induced by lightning discharges as a system of avalanches. On the basis of simulation results, we suggest a new mechanism for the inception of sprite streamers, explaining specifically how they can be triggered spatially outside of and temporally separated from the main sprite halo. The inception of sprite streamers is demonstrated to depend strongly on the charge moment change and the ambient electron density profile, which together determine the size of the streamer initiation region. We show that sprite streamers are mostly triggered by positive cloud-to-ground lightning discharges mainly because of mechanisms related to direction of propagation of electron avalanches. Moreover, the triggering of long-delayed sprites is demonstrated to be a unique property of halos produced by positive cloud-to-ground lightning discharges due to the formation of a long-lasting high-field region. Lightning continuing current can enlarge this high-field region and pull it down to lower altitudes where electron density is lower, extending the streamer initiation region.

The formation and propagation of flux avalanches in tailored MgB2 films

The applications of superconducting magnesium diboride are substantially limited by the presence of magnetic flux avalanches at low temperatures. Here, quickly moving magnetic vortices create large amounts of heat and magnetic noise. Such avalanches can be suppressed by evaporating metal layers to the surface of the superconductor, which acts both as a heat sink and as an electromagnetic drag by induced eddy currents. We show that it is necessary to distinguish between the mechanisms that are responsible for the formation and the propagation of avalanches. A high critical current favors avalanche formation but avalanche propagation is suppressed. The diverse consequences for creation and propagation explain the preference of avalanches for inhomogeneous superconductors.

Monte Carlo simulation of corona discharge in SF 6

Sulphur hexafluoride (SF 6) is one of the most widely used gaseous dielectrics for electric power systems and a number of high-voltage applications. There are many industrial applications where the electric corona discharge is used. In most cases the corona discharge is an inherently dynamic process; all parameters vary in time. Monte Carlo simulation of corona discharges in gas offers several advantages to study fundamental processes. Furthermore, it gives a fair qualitative description of the corona discharge itself as a function of space and time. This paper describes the development of negative coronas in SF 6 in a point–plane gap. Detailed structure of avalanches is presented, the total field distribution, propagation of successive avalanches and ion distribution are studied.

Influence of Inhomogeneities on Propagation of Streamers

It has been estimated concentration of particles bearing statistical fluctuations which have effect on propagation of streamers and avalanches. Geometry of fluctuations has been analyzed. It has been circumstantiated role of free electrons and negative ions caused by background radiation. Power function has been proposed in order to account percolation effects caused by plural development of avalanches and streamers. Simulation results have been represented.

Connectivity and dynamics of neuronal networks as defined by the shape of individual neurons

Biological neuronal networks constitute a special class of dynamical systems, as they are formed by individual geometrical components, namely the neurons. In the existing literature, relatively little attention has been given to the influence of neuron shape on the overall connectivity and dynamics of the emerging networks. The current work addresses this issue by considering simplified neuronal shapes consisting of circular regions (soma/axons) with spokes (dendrites). Networks are grown by placing these patterns randomly in the two-dimensional (2D) plane and establishing connections whenever a piece of dendrite falls inside an axon. Several topological and dynamical properties of the resulting graph are measured, including the degree distribution, clustering coefficients, symmetry of connections, size of the largest connected component, as well as three hierarchical measurements of the local topology. By varying the number of processes of the individual basic patterns, we can quantify relationships between the individual neuronal shape and the topological and dynamical features of the networks. Integrate-and-fire dynamics on these networks is also investigated with respect to transient activation from a source node, indicating that long-range connections play an important role in the propagation of avalanches.