Snow avalanche risk assessment and mapping: A new method based on a combination of statistical analysis, avalanche dynamics simulation and empirically-based vulnerability relations integrated in a GIS platform

Cappabianca, F.; Barbolini, Massimiliano; Natale, L.

doi:10.1016/j.coldregions.2008.06.005

Cited by 50 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 9 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…An equivalent mass M eq is connected to a spring of equivalent stiffness K eq (Biggs, 1964). The expressions of M eq and K eq are deduced respectively from the geometrics features of the RC wall (i.e., geometry 15 and boundary conditions) and from the mechanical properties of the RC material via bending moment-curvature relationship (i.e., M-χ relationship). In addition, no damping has been considered.…”

Section: Sdof Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing fragility of a reinforced concrete element to snow avalanches using a non-linear mass-spring model

Favier¹,

Eckert²,

Ousset³

et al. 2017

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. This paper presents an assessment of the fragility of a Reinforced Concrete (RC) element subjected to avalanche loads within a reliability framework. In order to obtain accurate numerical results with supportable computation times, we propose a light and efficient Single-Degree-Of-Freedom (SDOF) numerical model for an RC element. The model represents the behavior of an RC wall, summing up the main physics involved. Non-linearity was taken into account by a moment-curvature approach, which describes the overall bending response until collapse. The SDOF model was validated by a finite element as 5 well as yield line theory analyses. It was then embedded within a reliability framework to evaluate the failure probability as a function of avalanche pressure. Several reliability methods are implemented and compared, suggesting that non-parametric methods provide significant results at a moderate level of computational burden. The sensitivity to material properties, such as tensile and compressive strengths, steel reinforcement ratio, and wall geometry was also investigated. Finally, the obtained fragility curves were discussed with respect to the few proposals available in the snow avalanche engineering field. This 10 systematic approach will prove useful in refining formal and practical risk assessments and could be applied to other similar phenomena that also lack fragility curves.

show abstract

Section: Sdof Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing fragility of a reinforced concrete element to snow avalanches using a non-linear mass-spring model

Favier¹,

Eckert²,

Ousset³

et al. 2017

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Following this path, Fell [44] tries to link the concepts of vulnerability and risk: first defining risk as the measure of the probability and severity that an adverse impact could affect the environment; and secondly to understand vulnerability as the loss level produced in an area by the same adverse impact. Continuing with this basis, Cappabianca [45] formulates risk as the product of hazard function related to an event (H, defined as the probability perceived by an individual that an event, with a particular intensity occurs) and vulnerability (V):…”

Section: Author(s)mentioning

confidence: 99%

A Proposed Methodology for Prioritizing Project Effects to Include in Cost-Benefit Analysis Using Resilience, Vulnerability and Risk Perception

2014

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Cost-benefit analysis (CBA) has emerged as one of the most widely used methodologies in environmental policy analysis, with many governments applying it in their decision-making procedures and laws. However, undertaking a full CBA is expensive, and conclusions must be drawn on which project or policy impacts to include in the analysis. Based on the ideas of resilience, vulnerability and risk, we suggest a method for prioritizing project impacts for inclusion in a CBA, which includes both expert assessment and citizen preferences. We then illustrate how the method can be applied in the context of land use change decisions, using a real application.

show abstract

“…Currently, the assessment of the vulnerability of civil engineering structures is still difficult even if the back-analysis of observed events allowed establishing vulnerability relations of a structure damaged by a snow avalanche (Jonasson et al, 1999;Keylock and Barbolini, 2001;Barbolini et al, 2004a;Cappabianca et al, 2008). However, only a few well documented events are available and the uncertainty of the obtained relations is very high (see for example Bell and Glade, 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical vulnerability of reinforced concrete buildings impacted by snow avalanches

Bertrand

Naaïm²,

Brun

2010

Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. This paper deals with the assessment of physical vulnerability of civil engineering structures to snow avalanche loadings. In this case, the vulnerability of the element at risk is defined by its damage level expressed on a scale from 0 (no damage) to 1 (total destruction). The vulnerability of a building depends on its structure and flow features (geometry, mechanical properties, type of avalanche, topography, etc.). This makes it difficult to obtain vulnerability relations. Most existing vulnerability relations have been built from field observations. This approach suffers from the scarcity of well documented events. Moreover, the back analysis is based on both rough descriptions of the avalanche and the structure. To overcome this problem, numerical simulations of reinforced concrete structures loaded by snow avalanches are carried out. Numerical simulations allow to study, in controlled conditions, the structure behavior under snow avalanche loading. The structure is modeled in 3-D by the finite element method (FEM). The elasto-plasticity framework is used to represent the mechanical behavior of both materials (concrete and steel bars) and the transient feature of the avalanche loading is taken into account in the simulation. Considering a reference structure, several simulation campaigns are conducted in order to assess its snow avalanches vulnerability. Thus, a damage index is defined and is based on global and local parameters of the structure. The influence of the geometrical features of the structure, the compressive strength of the concrete, the density of steel inside the composite material and the maximum impact pressure on the damage index are studied and analyzed. These simulations allow establishing the vulnerability as a function of the impact pressure and the structure features. The derived vulnerability functions could be used for risk analysis in a snow avalanche context.

show abstract

Snow avalanche risk assessment and mapping: A new method based on a combination of statistical analysis, avalanche dynamics simulation and empirically-based vulnerability relations integrated in a GIS platform

Cited by 50 publications

References 9 publications

Assessing fragility of a reinforced concrete element to snow avalanches using a non-linear mass-spring model

Assessing fragility of a reinforced concrete element to snow avalanches using a non-linear mass-spring model

A Proposed Methodology for Prioritizing Project Effects to Include in Cost-Benefit Analysis Using Resilience, Vulnerability and Risk Perception

Physical vulnerability of reinforced concrete buildings impacted by snow avalanches

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About