Modeling of crack propagation in weak snowpack layers using the discrete element method

Gaume, J.; van Herwijnen, A.; Chambon, G.; Birkeland, K. W.; Schweizer, J.

doi:https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-1915-2015

Articles | Volume 9, issue 5

https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-1915-2015

© Author(s) 2015. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-1915-2015

© Author(s) 2015. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

Articles | Volume 9, issue 5

Research article

|

08 Oct 2015

Research article |

| 08 Oct 2015

Modeling of crack propagation in weak snowpack layers using the discrete element method

J. Gaume, A. van Herwijnen, G. Chambon, K. W. Birkeland, and J. Schweizer

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Final revised paper (published on 08 Oct 2015)
Preprint (discussion started on 28 Jan 2015)

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment

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RC C55: 'Comments on "Modeling of crack propagation in weak snowpack layers using the discrete element method" by Gaume et al.', Pascal Hagenmuller, 12 Feb 2015
RC C271: 'Review of ``Modeling of crack propagation in weak snowpack layers using the discrete element method'' by Gaume et al.', Anonymous Referee #2, 27 Mar 2015
AC C740: 'Reply to the reviewers', Johan Gaume, 11 May 2015

Peer-review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision

AR by Johan Gaume on behalf of the Authors (08 Jun 2015) Author's response Manuscript

ED: Publish as is (04 Sep 2015) by Eric Larour

AR by Johan Gaume on behalf of the Authors (08 Sep 2015) Manuscript

Short summary

We proposed a new approach to characterize the dynamic phase of crack propagation in weak snowpack layers as well as fracture arrest propensity by means of numerical "propagation saw test" simulations based on the discrete element method. Crack propagation speed and distance before fracture arrest were derived from the simulations for different snowpack configurations and mechanical properties. Numerical and experimental results were compared and the mechanical processes at play were discussed.