Taconnaz avalanche path: pressure and velocity measurements on breaking mounds

H. Bellot (1) , F. Naaim-Bouvet (1) , M. Naaim (1) , P. Caccamo (1) , Thierry Faug (1) , F. Ousset (1)

1 UR ETGR (ETNA) - Erosion torrentielle neige et avalanches

This paper describes the instrumentation related to velocity and pressure measurements recently set up in the avalanche protection system of Taconnaz. Previous studies on the impact pressure stemming from snow avalanches on the basis of experimental measures revealed very complex loading spectra. More particularly, open questions relative to the incident flow regime and the flow-obstacle geometry, and to how the mean pressure and fluctuations can be influenced, remain challenging issues. The Taconnaz avalanche path (Chamonix, France) is characterized by remarkable dimensions. The passive protection system has been recently improved in the framework of an expertise conducted by Irstea (formerly Cemagref). The new defence structures, retarding mounds in particular, have been equipped with sensors in order to measure the local velocity in the vicinity of those obstacles as well as the impact pressure stemming from snow avalanches, in the framework of the Alcotra DYNAVAL Interreg project. The first measurements have been obtained from the avalanche that occurred at the end of December, 2010.

Mots clés: AVALANCHE; STRUCTURE DE PROTECTION; FORCE D'IMPACT; METROLOGIE; TACONNAZ; SNOW; PROTECTION; FORCE; METROLOGY

Domaines: Sciences de l'environnement

H. Bellot, F. Naaim-Bouvet, M. Naaim, P. Caccamo, Thierry Faug, et al.. Taconnaz avalanche path: pressure and velocity measurements on breaking mounds. International Snow Science Workshop (ISSW), Oct 2013, Grenoble - Chamonix Mont-Blanc, France. p. 1378 - p. 1383. ⟨hal-00949374⟩