Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)

Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren

Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

RESIDUAL RISK BELOW SUPPORTING

STRUCTURES

Source: Oriol Molló.

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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

RESIDUAL RISK

 Avalanche release outside the protected area

 Fracture propagation within the protected area
 Not whole starting area controlled.

 Avalanche release inside the protected area

 Fracture propagation within the protected area
 Snow height much smaller than the construction height

 Avalanche release over the filled up structures

 Fracture propagation within the protected area
 Snow height bigger than the effective structure height.

26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 118

 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

ORGANIZATION OF CONSTRUCTION SITES

Source: Siegfried Sauermoser. Die Wildbach.

26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 119
 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

ORGANISATION OF CONSTRUCTION SITES

 Accessibility
 Forest road, off-road vehicle, cable crane, helicopter.

 Equipment
 Driller, injection pump, compressor, working tools.

 Materials and supplies

 Anchor grout, water, energy, timber boards.

 Safety
 Protection against falls (harness, rope), rock fall (helmet, hard
boots), flash storms (hut).

26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 120

 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

4.3 AVALANCHE BRAKING STRUCTURES

Source: Tómas Jóhannesson. SATSIE.

26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 121
 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

BRAKING MOUNDS

Fig 27. Scheme of a braking mounds field

Source: IRASMOS.
26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 122
 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

BRAKING MOUNDS

Source: IRASMOS.
26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 123
 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

BRAKING MOUNDS

Source: IRASMOS.
26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 124
 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

BRAKING MOUNDS

 Consists of several rows of mounds built in the run-out zone.

Intended to dissipate cinematic energy, reducing run-out
distances and slowing down the motion.

 Increase avalanche flow width, reduce flow depth thus

enhancing greater snow-soil friction.

 Reduce the velocity of avalanches reaching infrastructure.

But, less effective at stopping avalanches than catching dams.

 Large and dry avalanches flowing at high speed will hardly be

affected by braking constructions (small loss of momentum in
dry, supercritical, granular flows). Mostly effective against wet
snow avalanches running at low speed and limited size.
26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 125
 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

BRAKING MOUNDS

NO ACCEPTED DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR BRAKING MOUNDS!

 Several general recommendations for the practical design of

braking mounds are given based on the experiences of:
- Tómasson and others (1988). Iceland.
- Salm (1987). Austria.

 On the first row of mounds, 20% speed reduction, on the

second 10% speed reduction.

 Energy dissipation takes place in the impact of the avalanche

with the mounds and also in the interaction of jets from
adjacent mounds.

26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 126

 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

MOUND LATERAL VIEW

Fig. 28. Lateral view of a mound with depiction of a flow jet overtopping the structure.
Source: The design of avalanche protection dams. European Communities.
26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 127
 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

BRAKING MOUNDS

 DESIGN CRITERIA

 Height of the mounds depends on the velocity and flowing

height H of the avalanche, it’s taken to be 2H to 3H.

 Aspect ratio flowing height H to mound width B should be 1.

 The upstream face of the mounds should be 60º.

 Mounds placed longitudinally close together, to a distance A
equal or less to width B: sideways launched jets interaction.
 To locate near the end of the run-out zone of the avalanches.
 Minimum vertical spacing of braking mounds, it’s to be
between 20 to 30 m. From throw length differential equation.

26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 128

 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

BRAKING DAM

Source: Siegfried Sauermoser. Die Wildbach.

26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 129
 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

BRAKING DAM

Source: Oriol Molló. Mühlau bei Innsbruck.

26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 130
 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

BRAKING DAM

 Consists of a sieving dam built in a CONFINED avalanche path.

Intended to dissipate cinematic energy, reducing run-out
distances and slowing down the motion.

 Based on checkdams, torrent hydraulics structures for

viscous-frictional flows. The dam generates an hydraulic jump,
creating turbulences and backflow. In addition a flow buffer is
created in front of the dam.

 Design criteria based on deflecting dams; discharge opening

must be large enough to flow the resulting avalanche from the
expected extreme snow depth Hext at the site of the structure.

26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 131

 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

4.4 DEFLECTING AND CATCHING STRUCTURES

DAMS

Source: Johannes Hübl. BOKU.

26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 132
 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

GENERAL DAM DIMENSIONING PRINCIPLES

Source: Johannes Hübl. BOKU.

26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 133
 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

FUNCTIONS OF DAMS
 Retarding avalanches
(shortening of the run out distance and the avalanche pressure)
 momentum reduction
 flow-obstacle impact
 jet and ambient fluid entrainment
 jet impact on the ground downstream of the dam
 mass reduction

 Deflecting avalanches

 Stopping avalanches
 momentum dissipation
 mass storage
26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 134
 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

OVERVIEW OF TRADITIONAL DESIGN PRINCIPLES

 The height of avalanche dams, HD, is usually determined:
H d = hu + hf + hs [m]

 Based on the energy conservation law. (View chapter 3).

• hu height due to kinetic energy

• hs thickness of snow and previous snow deposits
• hf thickness of the flowing dense part
Terms hf and hs typically assumed to be a few to several metres
each for unconfined slopes. Must be estimated based SNOW
ACCUMULATION conditions and the frequency of avalanches on
the site.
 Term hu based on fluid kinetics, estimated AS FOLLOWS.

26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 135

 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

CATCHING DAM - PERPENDICULAR TO THE FLOW

Pn = Ps + Pf + Pu [kN/m2]  normal pressure on dam

Pu = ru 2
hu = u2
2 gl

hu Pu

hf Pf

hs SNOW COVER Ps

u kinetic energy component

f flow height, dynamic pressure component
s snow depth, static pressure component
Fig 29. Pressure and kinetic height of a flow running out into a catching dam.
Source: Oriol Molló.
26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 136
 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

OVERVIEW OF TRADITIONAL DESIGN PRINCIPLES

λ Empirical parameter.
Accounts for loss of momentum and flow – dam friction.
The higher the value, the more the hu is lessened.

CATCHING DAMS
 Loss of momentum
 For dry flow, λ = 1 – 2
 For dense flow, λ = 2 – 3

 Avalanche flow – dam wall friction

 For steep upstream faces; higher values.
 For low Hd, small potential for large avalanches; higher values.

26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 137

 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

DEFLECTING DAM – OBLIQUE TO THE FLOW

(u·sinj )2
v1 hu = 2 gl

α Pn = ru sin a 2 2 Ps = mPn
Pn normal Pressure (kN/m2)
v2
Ps frictional Pressure (kN/m2)
ρ average density of the snow [t/m3]
Pn
Ps u flow velocity (m/s)
α deflection angle (º)
NOTE that v1 > v2
μ friction factor (0,3-0,4)
Fig 30. Pressure and kinetic height of a flow running out into a deflecting dam.
Source: Oriol Molló.
26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 138
 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

OVERVIEW OF TRADITIONAL DESIGN PRINCIPLES

λ Empirical parameter lessening the hu .
Accounts for loss of momentum and flow – dam friction.
The higher the value, the more the hu is lessened.

DEFLECTING DAMS

λ=1

 Equivalent to neglecting momentum loss when the avalanche

hits the dam and the effect of friction of the avalanche against
the dam.

 This leads to higher dams compared with λ > 1.

26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 139

 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

DAM GEOMETRY AND NOTATION

Fig 31. Geometry and notation of a dam features.

Source: The design of avalanche protection dams. European Communities.
26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 140
 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

DAM GEOMETRY AND NOTATION

 The shape of the terrain and the avalanche flow upstream of
the dam are assumed to be sufficiently uniform so that spatial
variations in ψ, u1 and h1 may be ignored.

 Vertical dam height, Hd, (and vertical run-up) will in general be

slightly different from the corresponding height measured
normal to the terrain, H.
H d = H (y ,j,a )
 Protection dams are typically built in the run-out areas of
avalanches, where terrain slopes are small and this difference
in most cases is not important.

26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 141

 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

DYNAMICS OF FLOW AGAINST DAMS

 A dry-snow avalanche will typically flow towards a dam in a
supercritical state, i.e. Fr > 1.

 The first determining factor for the design height of both

catching and deflecting dams is that UNINTERRUPTED,
SUPERCRITICAL FLOW over the dam must be prevented.

 If supercritical overflow is impossible, shallow fluid dynamics

predicts the formation of a shock upstream of the dam.

 The second criterion for the design height of avalanche dams

is that THE FLOW DEPTH DOWNSTREAM of the shock must be
smaller than the dam height.

26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 142

 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

DYNAMICS OF FLOW AGAINST DAMS

Fig 32. Dynamics of flow against dams. a) Shockwave b) hydraulic jump.

Source: The design of avalanche protection dams. European Communities.
26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 143
 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

DYNAMICS OF FLOW AGAINST DAMS

These two requirements in combination constitute the core of

the design requirements here proposed.

Structural stability of a dam, system equilibrium:

translation, rotation, material resistance, foundations.

26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 144

 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

CATCHING DAMS

Source: Siegfried Sauermoser. Die Wildbach.

26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 145
 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

CATCHING DAMS
 Structure designed to stop or to initiate the stopping of flowing
snow, built transversally to the flow direction of an avalanche.

 May be built of earth banks, reinforced earth, gabion walls,

reinforced concrete or steel.

 Ineffective against the powder part of an avalanche,

suspension layer will overflow the dam.

 Intended to stop avalanches completely before they can reach

objects at risk. These dams are typically used for extended
areas along the foot of a slope where there is insufficient
space for deflecting dams.

26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 146

 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

CATCHING DAMS
 DESIGN CRITERIA

 CRITICAL DESIGN PARAMETERS:

dam height, Hd above the dam storage, S

 Large avalanches flowing at high speed can hardly be stopped

by catching dams, there are many examples of avalanches
overtopping such dams.

 The effectiveness of catching dams is therefore dependent

upon a location near the end of the run-out zone of the
avalanches.

26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 147

 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

CATCHING DAMS
 DETERMINING STORAGE CAPACITY, S :

 The storage space per unit width upstream of a catching dam

is defined as the area between the snow covered terrain and a
line from the top of the dam with a slope of 5–10◦ away from
the mountain.

 This requirement is primarily intended for slow, moist and

dense avalanches, and the storage capacity for fast, dry-snow
avalanches can be much smaller.

 A compaction factor of approximately 1.5 describing the ratio

of deposit density to release density is, furthermore,
sometimes used

26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 148

 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

CATCHING DAMS
 DETERMINING STORAGE CAPACITY, S :

 In some cases, the storage space above a catching dam must

be dimensioned so that more than one avalanche per season
can be stopped by the dam.

 This is however, not based on dynamic principles, it’s rather a

management approach!

 Nonetheless, it must be taken into account in places where

more than one avalanche per season is expected and there
might not be the possibility to empty the dam between two
successive events.

26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 149

 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

CATCHING DAMS
 DETERMINING STORAGE CAPACITY, S :

 Field observations indicate that dry-snow avalanches do not

pile up much against the dam, so that the avalanche deposit,
slopes away from the dam rather than towards it.

 For lack of a better choice, it is proposed here to continue to

use the traditional methodology with a deposit slope of 0–10◦,
and without a compaction factor.

 For locations at which dry-snow avalanches are expected,

deposit slopes close to 0◦ should be used, but for locations
where wetter avalanches are typical, slopes up to 10◦ may be
chosen.

26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 150

 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

CATCHING DAMS
 DETERMINING STORAGE CAPACITY, S :

ò
x1
S= (z1 - (zs + hs ))·dx
x0

x horizontal distance from the dam.

x0 x1 the two point locations of the dam and the point where the line
intersects the snow covered slope, respectively.
z1 elevation of a straight line, top of the dam towards the mountain.
zs + h s elevation of the top of the snow cover before the avalanche falls.

26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 151

 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

CATCHING DAMS

Source: Johannes Hübl. BOKU.

26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 152
 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

DEFLECTING DAMS

Source: Johannes Hübl. BOKU.

26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 153
 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

DEFLECTING DAMS
 Structure designed to deviate FLOWING snow avalanches out
of an endangered area. Inclined to the flow direction by a
certain deflection angle, with a maximum of around 20º.

 May be built of earth banks, reinforced earth, gabion walls,

reinforced concrete or steel.

 Ineffective against the powder part of an avalanche,

suspension layer will overflow the dam.

 Cost-effective solution preferred to other types of dams,

specially when local soil can be used.

26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 154

 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

DEFLECTING DAMS
 DESIGN CRITERIA

 CRITICAL DESIGN PARAMETERS:

dam height, Hd deflection angle, ψ

 Sufficient space on the run-out zone for the construction of the

dam and the avalanche to run out harmlessly.

 The endangered area must be suitably located with respect to

the direction of the avalanches.

 Avalanche deflection should occur GRADUALLY, otherwise

the avalanches will OVERFLOW the works.

26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 155

 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

DEFLECTING DAMS
 Optimally built in steep terrain, adjusting to the avalanche
course, without a substantial reduction of flow speed,
avoiding deposition of masses.

 In steep terrain the masses of the fill, all the way along the
dam axis, should rest on lower-lying parts of the dam.

 Geometry of the terrain upstream of the dam: typically, on-site

excavation material is used in the dam fill. The excavated area
must be designed to divert the avalanche away from the dam.

 Not to be constructed at locations with high accumulations of

blowing snow or frequent and deep avalanche deposits.

26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 156

 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

DEFLECTING DAMS

schock

deflecting dam

Vf

ηd
Hd h1 ϕ

h2

Fig. 33. Shockwave on a deflecting dam.

Source: Oriol Molló.
26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 157
 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

DEFLECTING DAMS
 DETERMINING DEFLECTION ANGLE, ϕ :

 The deflecting angle in the map plane, φh, will mostly be

DETERMINED GRAPHICALLY on a map from an estimate of the
flow direction of the avalanche and the direction of the dam
axis.

 IT is RECOMMENDED that deflecting dams should have

deflecting angles at least 10◦ smaller than φmax. Normally, this
is between 10 to 25º.

 It is advisable to use 2D numerical avalanche modelling to

analyse the flow towards the dam.

26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 158

 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

DEFLECTING DAMS
 DETERMINING DEFLECTION ANGLE, ϕ :

 Empirical approach on the determination of the maximum

deflecting angle ϕ max. According to Hákonardóttir and Hogg:

p 2 3/4 21/4 æ 1 ö
j max = - - +a ç 5/2 ÷
2 Fr 1/2
6·Fr 3/2
è Fr ø

Fr  avalanche flow Froude number (-)

α  slope steepnes (º)

 It is advisable to use 2D numerical avalanche modelling to

analyse the flow towards the dam.

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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

DEFLECTING DAMS

Fig 34. Maximum deflection number in accordance to flow Froud number.

Source: The design of avalanche protection dams. European Communities.
26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 160
 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

DEFLECTING DAMS
 DETERMINING DEFLECTION ANGLE, ϕ :

 An avalanche hitting a deflecting dam with a deflecting angle ϕ

close to or greater than ϕ max, may not remain attached and
may start to propagate upstream.

 If the direction of the avalanche is at an angle to the direction

of steepest descent of the upstream terrain, the assumption
that friction is approximately balanced by the downslope
component of gravity is not valid!

 Deflecting dams are more effective in deviating powder snow

avalanches if they are positioned at 45–60◦ to the flow rather
than at only 30◦, in contrast to dense-flow avalanches.

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Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

DEFLECTING DAMS

Fig 35. Moment dissipation in accordance to dam angle.

Source: The design of avalanche protection dams. European Communities.
26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 162
 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

DEFLECTING DAMS
 FURTHER DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

 DEFLECTING LANDSCAPE. Consider the topographical

features, land use and the use of on-site materials to
INTEGRATE the deflecting dam into the landscape.

 Field studies show improved efficiency of deflecting dams for

narrow oncoming avalanches compared with wide
avalanches.

 It is recommended that this effect is not used as an argument

to build lower dams, but rather that it is considered an extra
safety margin!

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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

DEFLECTING DAMS

 For a normal shock upstream of a catching dam, the

propagation of the shock away from the dam will not be much
affected by the slope of the terrain, because the snow
downstream of the shock is stopped.

 Avalanche flow along deflecting dams is channelised along the

dam, possibly leading to a substantial increase in run-out in
the direction of the deflected flow.

 Snow avalanches will spread out laterally when they flow past
the downstream end of deflecting dams. In some cases,
avalanches may turn abruptly, whereas in other, continue in
the direction of the dam axis.

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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

DEFLECTING DAMS

 A FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEM with the point-mass view of an

avalanche for the design of deflecting dams is the neglect of
the transverse width of the avalanche!

 As a consequence of this simplification, the lateral and

longitudinal interactions between different parts of the
avalanche are ignored.

 Point-mass trajectories inevitably intersect as already

deflected material on its way down the dam side collides with
material heading towards the dam farther downstream.

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Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

DEFLECTING DAMS

θ  shock deviation angle u1  before impact velocity

φ  deflection angle u2  after impact velocity
φ

Pn u1

u2

θ
Ps

Pn  avalanche-impact force
Ps frictional pressure

Fig 36. Actions on a deflecting dam.

Source: Oriol Molló
26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 166
 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

DEFLECTING DAMS

Source: Siegfried Sauermoser. Die Wildbach.

26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 167
 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

DEFLECTING DAMS

Source: Siegfried Sauermoser. Die Wildbach.

26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 168
 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

DEFLECTING DAMS

Source: Johannes Hübl. BOKU.

26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 169
 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

4.4 DEFLECTING AND CATCHING STRUCTURES

AVALANCHE GALLERIES

Source: Catalan Road Communities. Arties, SPAIN.

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Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

AVALANCHE GALLERY
 Avalanche galleries (also called sheds) are structures
conceived to protect roads and railroads in the transition and
run-out zones by allowing avalanches to pass over the object.

 Avoids exposition of vehicles to known avalanche paths and

road closures, avoiding major damages to objects and
individuals.

 A typical shed is a concrete structure with a thick inner wall

and roof, and either with columns or a solid outer wall.

 Backfilling behind the inner wall should give a smooth

transition between the terrain and the roof.

26.10.2019 Johannes Hübl 171

 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

AVALANCHE GALLERY
 Avalanche galleries (also called sheds) are structures
conceived to protect roads and railroads in the transition and
run-out zones by allowing avalanches to pass over the object.

 Avoids exposition of vehicles to known avalanche paths and

road closures, avoiding major damages to objects and
individuals.

 A typical shed is a concrete structure with a thick inner wall

and roof, and either with columns or a solid outer wall.

 Backfilling behind the inner wall should give a smooth

transition between the terrain and the roof.

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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

AVALANCHE GALLERY
 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

 An avalanche shed will change the driving conditions on a

road. Therefore both avalanche issues and traffic safety must
be considered in the planning.

 Traffic safety is affected primarily by road alignment, in

addition to lighting, drainage and temperature conditions
inside the gallery.

 Natural road alignment where the shed is built to reduce

surprises and hazards to a minimum.

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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

AVALANCHE GALLERY
 Natural lighting in the shed is best with a column outer wall.

 HOWEVER, columns should only be used when the terrain

below the shed is steep, as in less steep down slope terrain
avalanche debris may build up outside and enter the shed.

 Dry avalanches passing over an open shed will create an

UNDER PRESSURE and a BACK FLOW reducing visibility. To
be considered when making the decision for a solid outer wall
or columns.

 Traffic safety considerations: compare overall safety

scenarios, probability of accidents with and without an
avalanche shed.

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Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

AVALANCHE GALLERY
 Placement should be optimized to reduce both shed length
and design loads.

 Road alignment should be considered to reduce potential

traffic hazards.

 Deflecting dams are often built to narrow the width of the

avalanche by canalizing the flow, reducing the required shed
length. AVALANCHE GALLERIES ARE EXPENSIVE TO BUILD.

 The avalanche track should be as even and straight as

possible. Needed to prevent accumulation of avalanche debris
and consequently laterally spreading of the avalanche.

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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

AVALANCHE GALLERY
 Maintenance road to the inside of the deflecting dam and to
the top of the shed to enable removal of debris to maintain
proper function of the deflecting dam and drainage.

 Adequate drainage is important. Surface water drained by

building open concrete channels over the roof of the shed.

 Gratings, pipes and drains must be designed such that debris

can be removed mechanically to enable proper functioning.

 The possibility of a debris flow should also be considered!

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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

AVALANCHE GALLERY
 NOTES ABOUT DIMENSIONING...

 Different guidelines in Europe for calculations of design loads

and load factors. All in all, most of them require design for
different load cases.

 For geotechnical issues refer to Eurocode 7.

 It is possible for a shed to be hit by an extreme event that it is

not designed for. The designer of the shed should therefore
ensure that such events do not cause a collapse of the entire
shed.

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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

SWISS GUIDELINES FOR AVALANCHE GALLERIES

Einwirkungen infolge Lawinen

auf Schutzgalerien.
Bundesamt für Strassen ASTRA
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Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

AVALANCHE GALLERY

Source: Franz Riegler. Sellraintal, Tyrol.

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Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

AVALANCHE GALLERY

Source: Österreichs Bundesherr. Styria.

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Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

AVALANCHE GALLERY

Source: Urs Nötzli. Gothard’s Pass, Switzerland.

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Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

TUNNEL

Source: IRASMOS.
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Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

TUNNEL
 Avalanche galleries (also called sheds) are structures
conceived to protect roads and railroads in the transition and
run-out zones by allowing avalanches to pass over the object.

 Avoids exposition of vehicles to known avalanche paths and

road closures, avoiding major damages to objects and
individuals.

 THEY ARE EXPENSIVE. Rare in Europe.

 Only used when other measures are not feasible because of

topographic conditions, or where there is a high frequency of
occurrence or exposition to other slope-related natural
hazards.

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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

TUNNEL

Source: Oriol Molló.

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Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

BUILDING-EMBOIDED STRUCTURES

Source: Siegfried Sauermoser. Die Wildbach.

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Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

DEFLECTING WEDGE

Source: Siegfried Sauermoser. Die Wildbach.

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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

DENSE FLOW AVALANCHE PRESSURE ON BUILDINGS

Flowing around, no overtopping.

Hpowder
Hg Hflow Vf
qf
qe

qf  dense flow pressure (kPa)

qe  statically compensation pressure (kPa)

Fig 36. Scheme of dense snow avalanche pressure flowing around buildings.
Source: Oriol Molló.
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Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

DENSE FLOW AVALANCHE PRESSURE ON BUILDINGS

Flowing all around and over, overtopping.

qa
Vf

qf,v Hflow

Hg qf qe

qf  dense flow pressure (kPa)

qf,v  dense flow lift pressure (kPa)
qe  statically compensation pressure (kPa)
qa  pressure avalanche deposition (kPa)

Fig 37. Scheme of dense flow avalanche pressure flowing around and over buildings.
Source: Oriol Molló.
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Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

DENSE FLOW AVALANCHE PRESSURE ON BUILDINGS

Flowing around, no overtopping.

+ qs

Vs

- qs Hg + qs

qs  stirring snow powder pressure (kPa)

Fig 38. Scheme of powder snow avalanche pressure on buildings.

Source: Oriol Molló.
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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

DEFLECTING ROOF

Source: Siegfried Sauermoser. Die Wildbach.

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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

5. ARTIFICAL RELEASE OF AVALANCHES

Source: Andreas Macher. Österreichs Bundesherr.

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Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

ARTIFICIAL RELEASE

AERIAL CABLEWEAYS 2 kg primers - CATEX

GAS EXPLODERS 0,8 – 3 m3 - GASEX, AVALHEX

HAND CHARGING 1-, 2 kg primers

AVALANCHE GUARD 2 kg projectiles

AVALANCHE TOWER 2 kg projectiles

MILITAR WEAPONRY 75-, 105 mm gauge

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Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

USE
 Preventive measure recommended only for inhabited area. It
has three objectives:
- to release avalanches under controlled conditions.
- to reduce the expected size of the avalanches.
- to test the instability of the snow pack.

 Normally after a critical snowfall, this is between 20 to 50 cm.

according to snowpack, weather conditions, loading history
and topography.

 Many different methods, no method is ideal for all applications.

Need to assess the convenience and applicability of each
method.

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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

EFFECT
 Explosive charges used to generate elastic stress waves,
initiating shear-fracture propagation and dry slab avalanche
release.

 Stress waves attenuate rapidly in snow, propagation is more

efficient through the air and the ground.

 Explosions above the snow surface stress over a wider area

than those in the snowpack. They are more effective in
activating weak spots to produce failure.

 Stress waves in the ground propagate with little atenuation

over long distances. Artillery shells detonated on rocks have
released avalanches on adjacent slopes.

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Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

EFFECT

Fig 39. Effect of an explosive load over the snow surface.

Source: The avalanche handbook. 3rd ed. McLung, Schaerer.
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Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

EFFICIENCY

Fig 40. Effective range of different detonation types and deployments

Source: Siegfried Sauermoser.
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Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

EFFICIENCY

Fig 42. Effective range in accordance to relative position to snow surface

Source: Siegfried Sauermoser.
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Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

5.1 AERIAL CABLEWAYS

Source: Siegfried SAUERMOSER. Die Wildbach.

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Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

AERIAL CABLEWAY

Fig 41. Scheme of an aerial cableway avalanche release system.

Source: IRASMOS.
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Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

AERIAL CABLEWAY

Source: Oriol Molló.

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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

AERIAL CABLEWAY
 A cable moving an explosive charge, normally dynamite,
releasing it at a certain point along the line and exploding
ABOVE the snow cover.

 Installation: aerial cable, pylons, starting station and a control

device.

 Management far away from the dangerous sites (radio control

required), good safety level for the staff. Allowing many
neighbour blasting points.

 Good efficiency (explosion few meters above the snow cover).

Working in bad weathers conditions (except hard wind), also
in the night.

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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

AERIAL CABLEWAY
BUT…IT HAS SOME CHALLENGES

 Use of explosives subject to strict regulations, safety

constrains.

 Big deflection angles produce high shear stress rates in

cables.

 Difficulties working in hard wind. Cable sensible to rime and

lightning.

 Not easy to see the avalanche site before and after the blast.

 Cost efficiency relies on number of blasts, not always worth.

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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

AERIAL CABLEWAY

 DESIGN CRITERIA
• Locate cable over each (blasting point from each) starting
zone. Station and pylons: outside of avalanche areas.

• Distance between cable and ground: over than 5 m (explosive

charge above the snow cover), less than 50 m (aerial
constraint).

• Take into account environmental conditions: temperature,

predominant wind direction and force, snow cover height.

• Topographic study with a length profile and possible

avalanche paths is a MUST.

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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

5.2 GAS EXPLODERS

Source: Philip Smith. [Link]

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Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

GAZEX

Fig 443. Scheme of a GAZEX, a gas-based avalanche release system.

Source: IRASMOS.
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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

GAZEX

Source: Oriol Molló.

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Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

GAZEX

Source: (left) Siegfried Sauermoser. Die Wildbach. (right) CEMAGREF.

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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

AVALHEX

Source: (left) HEAVEN CLIMBERS S.L. FRANCE. (right) Vall de Nuria, SPAIN.
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Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

GAZEX
 Artificial release of avalanches by allowing the explosion of a
mixture gas generating a high pressure wave above the snow
cover. Power of explosion: more than 2kg of equivalent TNT.

 Composed of discharge tube, a gas shelter, a gas containment

enclosure, and a control device.

 No use of explosives. Quick, easy management, Very good

safety level for the staff (control from the office).

 Very good efficiency, explosion few meters above the snow

cover. Working in all weathers conditions, also in the night.

 It can be dismantled and reinstalled during the summer times.

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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

GAZEX
DISCHARGE TUBE: EXPLODER
 Consisting of a cylinder and an elbow in high tensile, high
resilience steel, thickness 4 to 8 mm.

 Available volumes: 0.8 m3, 1.5 m3 and 3 m3.

 Air shock wave generated by explosion of propane/oxygen mix

 Air overpressure 25 mbar over a diameter of influence,

depends on the volume of discharge tube: 60 m for the 0.8 m3
model, 100 m for the 3 m3 model.

 Shock wave velocity: 1750 m/s.

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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

GAZEX
CENTRAL GAS SHELTER
 Shelter in composite material: polyester resin reinforced with
glass fibre, no metal reinforcement. Up to 10 exploders.

 Integrated weather station. Recovery of blast confirmation by

seismometer. Monitoring of pressure in gas bottles and
battery voltage.

 Maximum distance between the central gas installation and

exploders: 500 m.

 Gas centre qualification at -30°C and PED 97/23/CE

(Pressure Equipment Directive)

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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

GAZEX
BUT…IT HAS SOME CHALLENGES

• Only one avalanche track, one blasting point in the starting

zone per tube. Very expensive, cost-efficiency must be
carefully assessed.

• Use of gas subject to strict regulations, safety constrains.

• Electronic devices sensible to lightning, must to be

disconnected in summer times. Difficult to repair during the
winter season. NEED very good ANCHORS to withstand
pressure.

• Not easy to see the avalanche site before and after the blast.
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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

GAZEX

 DESIGN CRITERIA
• Locate exploder in the upper section of the starting zone.
Distance between exploder and gas shelter: length, difference
in height. CHECK the ANCHOR possibility in this location and
ensure avalanche protection of the equipment.

• To design the level of the detonation, choose the type of gas

exploder. Decide for the possible location of the gas shelter.

• Take into account environmental conditions: temperature,

predominant wind direction and force, snow cover height.

• Topographic study with a length profile and possible

avalanche paths is a MUST.
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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

DAISY-BELL
 Artificial release of avalanches by allowing the explosion of a
mixture gas generating a high pressure wave above the snow
cover. Power of explosion: more than 2kg of equivalent TNT.

 Helicopter-borne system able to reach remote zones where

it’s not possible to install other gas systems or the use of other
means.

 Consists in exploding a hydrogen/oxygen mixture contained in

a metal cone, 3 to 5 meters above the snow cover.
 All operations are controlled from the helicopter cockpit. Less
than ten seconds are necessary from the shot request to the
ignition and there is no waiting time between two shots.

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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

DAISY-BELL

Source: Natural Hazards Control Solutions (TAS). France.

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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

DAISY-BELL

Source: Natural Hazards Control Solutions (TAS) SL. France.

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Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

DAISY-BELL
 No use of explosives: free from law restrictions concerning
explosives. Quick, easy management, Very good safety level
for the staff (control from the office).

 Very good efficiency, explosion few meters above the snow

cover. Able to fire 50 successive shots.

 Total mobility, no fixed installation. It allows to choose the

release point over vast areas.

 Minimal intervention in the natural environment. Absence of

duds, shrapnel or other debris. No external and susceptible
supply lines needed.

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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

5.3 HAND CHARGING

Source: Yukon Highway Officials. The USA.

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Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

HAND CHARGING
 Artificial release of avalanches by triggering a hand explosive,
cast or gelatine primers, OVER the snow cover. The explosive
charge has a power equivalent to a 1kg of TNT.

 Composed of an explosive, a cap and a fuse. Many

governments regulations require assembly at the point of
application, or in the absence, shortly before release.

 Charges ignited by a pull-wire igniter and tossed by hand.

Shot placement may be predetermined and blasting locations
marked along a route.

 Very good efficiency, very cheap method. Used in ski-areas

where access to the avalanche-starting zone is easy.

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Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

HAND CHARGING
LIMITATIONS…

 Requires safe access to avalanche-starting zone and shot

placements.

 Limited effective range because of the small amount of

explosive.

 Charges may roll down on a hard slope, they may be attached

to an anchored cord.

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Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

HAND CHARGING PRIMERS

fig a. cast primer fig b. gelatine primer

fig c. gelatine primer

Source: Orica Avalanches Products Lim. Canada.
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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

CAST PRIMER ARMING

Source: The avalanche handbook. 3rd ed. McLung, Schaerer.

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Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

GELATINE PRIMER ARMING

Source: The avalanche handbook. 3rd ed. McLung, Schaerer.

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Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

PRIMER ARMING

Source: Tobias Kurzeder.

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Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

5.4 AVALANCHE GUARD

Source: Inauen – Schätti AG. Switzerland.

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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

AVALANCHE GUARD
 Artificial release of avalanches by allowing the explosion of an
explosive charge in the snow cover. Power of explosion: more
than 2kg of equivalent TNT.

 Composed of a pylon with a cabinet containing 10 explosive

charge, control device, solar panels.

 THE WHOLE whole device is installed OUTSIDE the avalanche

prone area. Allowing blasting points over the whole area.

 Very good efficiency. Shot is registered by a geophone; duds

can easily be recovered by the avalanche safety team.

 Working at night and cold temperatures, not on strong wind.

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Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

AVALANCHE GUARD
 Minimal intervention in the natural environment. Absence of
duds, shrapnel or other debris. Energy supply through solar
cells, with no external and susceptible supply lines needed.

 Can be recharged by the avalanche safety team without

helicopter support.

KEEP IN MIND THAT…

 The launching distance depends on the propelling charge.

 The numbers of shots for different starting zones in one
cabinet are limited.
 Strong wind can influence the launching distance and
direction.
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Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

AVALANCHE GUARD

Source: Inauen – Schätti AG. Switzerland.

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Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

AVALANCHE GUARD

Source: IRASMOS.
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Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

5.5 AVALANCHE TOWER

Source: Inauen – Schätti AG. Switzerland.

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Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

AVALANCHE TOWER

 Artificial release of avalanches by allowing the explosion of an

explosive charge ABOVE the snow cover. Power of explosion:
more than 2kg of equivalent TNT.

 Composed of tower, a charge magazine with 12 explosives

and a remote control device. Energy supply through solar
cells.

• WEATHER INDEPENDENCE. Explosives deployed coded radio

signal at any time.

• Secure magazine locations: on top of remote towers during

winter, removed and stored in a safe place off-season.
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Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

AVALANCHE TOWER
 Minimal intervention in the natural environment. Absence of
duds, shrapnel or other debris.

 Explosives can be suspended and dropped or propelled.

AND YET…

 Only one avalanche track (blasting point in the starting zone)

per pylon.

 Strong wind can influence the launching distance and

direction. Recharge by helicopter may be dangerous if strong
wind is present in the starting zone. Delay of recharge if
meteorological conditions are not good.
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Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

AVALANCHE TOWER

 DESIGN CRITERIA

 Location: exploder outside or just nearby the upper starting

zone. In slopes of 25º to 30º.

 Distance between exploder and charge magazine: 8m (tower)

plus the difference in height according to the inclination of the
starting zone.

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Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

AVALANCHE TOWER

Source: Inauen – Schätti AG. Switzerland.

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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

AVALANCHE TOWER

Source: (left) Inauen – Schätti AG. Switzerland. (right) Siegfried Sauermoser. Die Wildbach.
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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

5.6 CIVILIAN ARTILLERY

Source: Siegfried Sauermoser. Die Wildbach.

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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

ARTILLERY SHOOTING
 Artificial release of avalanches by allowing the explosion of an
explosive charge ON the snow cover. Power of explosion:
more than 2kg of equivalent TNT.

 It consists of a cannon installed in a permanently safe place,

with a 1.8 m long tube loaded with 2.2 kg of liquid explosive.
Nitrogen is used as a pressure medium.

• It can be hand loaded and charged as many times as needed.

Allows to shot up to 1 km. away, reaching a few release areas.

 It allows using a civil alternative in countries where military

weaponry is limited to the army. E.g. Austria, Spain, France
(most of the EU countries), Japan.

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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

AVALANCHEUR LACROIX

Source: Siegfried Sauermoser. Die Wildbach.

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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

AVALANCHE PIPE

Source: Siegfried Sauermoser. Die Wildbach.

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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

5.7 MILITARY ARTILLERY

Source: Siegfried Sauermoser. Die Wildbach.

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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

MILITARY ARTILLERY
 Artificial release of avalanches by allowing the explosion of an
explosive charge ON the snow cover. Power of explosion:
more than 2kg of equivalent TNT.

 It consists of military devised weapons, the choice depends on

the required range and availability of weapons and
ammunition.

 Used North America, Canada, Russia. Most commonly used

include 75-, and 105-mm recoilless rifles and 105-mm
howitzers. In some countries like in Europe and Japan it is
forbidden.

 Safety procedures follow military guidelines.

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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

MILITARY ARTILLERY
 Quick firing at numerous targets and, with predetermined
firing data, controlling avalanches during poor visibility and at
night.

 It might be fired from fixed points or deployed along a road.

STILL…

 High maintenance costs, spare parts are expensive and not

always readily available.

 Target must be on the same side of the mountain as the gun

position.

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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

CANADIAN ARMY 105mm HOWITZER

Source: George Kouronis.

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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

5.8 HELICOPTER DROPPING

Source: Andreas Macher. Österreichs Bundesherr.

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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

HELICOPTER DROPPING
 Artificial release of avalanches by dropping large hand
charges of up to 10kg of equivalent TNT while hovering
ABOVE large avalanche-starting zones.

 Helicopter flying and explosive transport in mountains are

hazardous. Strict safety guidelines must be followed.

 Numerous avalanche paths can be treated within a short time.

It is a cost-effective measure if avalanche paths are close
together.

 On-site management, yet good safety level for the staff as the
blasters are not exposed to the avalanche site.

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 Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren (IAN)
Department für Bautechnik und Naturgefahren
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

HELICOPTER DROPPING
ALL THE SAME…

 WEATHER DEPENDENT as helicopters cannot fly with limited

visibility, strong wind or icing conditions. Avalanches cannot
be released during storm.

 Correct planning of the explosive charges is difficult. The

bombardier cannot get the proper feel of the terrain.

 Explosives charges penetrate the snow, loosing power and

shortening the effective range.

 HOWEVER the use of large charges, 5 or 10kg, compensate

for inaccurate shot placement and explosion depth.
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