TY  - JOUR
A1  - Bühler, Yves
A1  - Christen, Marc
A1  - Kowalski, Julia
A1  - Bartelt, Perry
T1  - Sensitivity of snow avalanche simulations to digital elevation model quality and resolution
JF  - Annals of Glaciology
N2  - Digital elevation models (DEMs), represent the three-dimensional terrain and are the basic input for numerical snow avalanche dynamics simulations. DEMs can be acquired using topographic maps or remote-sensing technologies, such as photogrammetry or lidar. Depending on the acquisition technique, different spatial resolutions and qualities are achieved. However, there is a lack of studies that investigate the sensitivity of snow avalanche simulation algorithms to the quality and resolution of DEMs. Here, we perform calculations using the numerical avalance dynamics model RAMMS, varying the quality and spatial resolution of the underlying DEMs, while holding the simulation parameters constant. We study both channelized and open-terrain avalanche tracks with variable roughness. To quantify the variance of these simulations, we use well-documented large-scale avalanche events from Davos, Switzerland (winter 2007/08), and from our large-scale avalanche test site, Valĺee de la Sionne (winter 2005/06). We find that the DEM resolution and quality is critical for modeled flow paths, run-out distances, deposits, velocities and impact pressures. Although a spatial resolution of ~25 m is sufficient for large-scale avalanche modeling, the DEM datasets must be checked carefully for anomalies and artifacts before using them for dynamics calculations.
KW  - snow
KW  - avalanche
Y1  - 2011
SN  - 1727-5644
VL  - 52
IS  - 58
SP  - 72
EP  - 80
PB  - Cambridge University Press
CY  - Cambridge
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Christen, Marc
A1  - Kowalski, Julia
A1  - Bartelt, Perry
T1  - RAMMS: Numerical simulation of dense snow avalanches in three-dimensional terrain
JF  - Cold Regions Science and Technology
N2  - Numerical avalanche dynamics models have become an essential part of snow engineering. Coupled with field observations and historical records, they are especially helpful in understanding avalanche flow in complex terrain. However, their application poses several new challenges to avalanche engineers. A detailed understanding of the avalanche phenomena is required to construct hazard scenarios which involve the careful specification of initial conditions (release zone location and dimensions) and definition of appropriate friction parameters. The interpretation of simulation results requires an understanding of the numerical solution schemes and easy to use visualization tools. We discuss these problems by presenting the computer model RAMMS, which was specially designed by the SLF as a practical tool for avalanche engineers. RAMMS solves the depth-averaged equations governing avalanche flow with accurate second-order numerical solution schemes. The model allows the specification of multiple release zones in three-dimensional terrain. Snow cover entrainment is considered. Furthermore, two different flow rheologies can be applied: the standard Voellmy–Salm (VS) approach or a random kinetic energy (RKE) model, which accounts for the random motion and inelastic interaction between snow granules. We present the governing differential equations, highlight some of the input and output features of RAMMS and then apply the models with entrainment to simulate two well-documented avalanche events recorded at the Vallée de la Sionne test site.
KW  - RAMMS
KW  - snow
KW  - avalanche
Y1  - 2010
U6  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2010.04.005
SN  - 1872-7441
VL  - 63
IS  - 1-2
SP  - 1
EP  - 14
PB  - Elsevier
CY  - Amsterdam
ER  -