The dynamic friction characteristics of a rapidly sheared granular material applied to the motion of snow avalanches

Abstract

A numerical simulation of simple two-dimensional shear of round uniform grains is used to investigate the dynamic friction characteristics of the layer of snow at the base of an avalanche. For steady, uniform flow on a uniform flat surface, the dynamic friction coefficient transmitted through the shear array is found as it varies with the shear speed and normal force applied to the top of the shear layer, and the properties of the particles in the shear layer. For this simple model, the flow in the shear layer is found to be independent of the total number of layers in the shear flow. A slip plane is formed along which most of the shearing motion takes places, so that the shear is confined to just two layers of particles which slide over one another. In the absence of gravity this slip plane jumps up and down randomly within the shear layer, which is otherwise composed of agitated semi-dispersed particles.