Abstract
Computer models play an increasing role for the understanding of the dynamics of granular flows (rock avalanches, debris flows, snow avalanches etc.). Simple empirical relationships or semi-deterministic models are often applied in GIS-based modelling environments. However, they are only appropriate for rough overviews at the regional scale. In detail, granular flows are highly complex processes and deterministic models are required for a detailed understanding of such phenomena. One of the most advanced theories for understanding and modelling granular flows is the Savage-Hutter model, a system of differential equations based on the conservation of mass and momentum. The equations have been solved for a number of idealized topographies, but not yet satisfactorily for arbitrary terrain. Not many attempts to integrate the model with GIS were known up to now. The work presented is seen as an initiative to integrate a fully deterministic model for the motion of granular flows, based on the Savage-Hutter theory, with GRASS, an Open Source GIS software package. The potentials of the model are highlighted with the Val Pola rock avalanche as test event. The limitations and the most urging needs for further research are discussed.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Bouchut F, Westdickenberg M (2004) Gravity driven shallow water models for arbitrary topography. Commun Math Sci 2(3):359–389
Cannata M, Molinari M (2008) Natural hazards and risk assessment: the FOSS4G capabilities. In: Academic proceedings of the 2008 free and open source software for geospatial (FOSS4G) conference, Cape Town, 29 Sept–3 Oct 2008, pp 172–181
Christen M, Kowalski J, Bartelt B (2010) RAMMS: Numerical simulation of dense snow avalanches in three-dimensional terrain. Cold Reg Sci Technol 63:1–14
Corominas J, Copons R, Vilaplana JM, Altamir J, Amigó J (2003) Integrated landslide susceptibility analysis and hazard assessment in the principality of Andorra. Nat Hazards 30:421–435
Crosta GB, Imposimato S, Roddeman DG (2003) Numerical modelling of large landslides stability and runout. Nat Hazard Earth Sys Sci 3:523–538
Crosta GB, Chen H, Lee CF (2004) Replay of the 1987 Val Pola landslide, Italian Alps. Geomorphology 60:127–146
De Ferranti J (2005–2010) Digital elevation data. www.viewfinderpanopramas.org
Gamma P (2000) Dfwalk – Murgang-Simulationsmodell zur Gefahrenzonierung. Geographica Bernensia G66, 144pp
Govi M, Gullà G, Nicoletti PG (2002) Val Pola rock avalanche of July 28, 1987, in Valtellina (Central Italian Alps). In: Evans SG, Degraff JV (eds) Catastrophic landslides: effects, occurrence, and mechanism, Geological Society of America reviews in engineering geology. Geological Society of America, Boulder, pp 71–89
Gray JMNT, Wieland M, Hutter K (1999) Gravity-driven free surface flow of granular avalanches over complex basal topography. Proc R Soc Lond A 455:1841–1874
Hungr O (1995) A model for the runout analysis of rapid flow slides, debris flows, and avalanches. Can Geotech J 32:610–623
Hungr O, Corominas J, Eberhardt E (2005) State of the art paper: estimating landslide motion mechanism, travel distance and velocity. In: Hungr O, Fell R, Couture R, Eberhardt E (eds) Landslide risk management. Proceedings of the international conference on landslide risk management, Vancouver, BC, 31 May–3 June 2005, pp 129–158
Iverson RM (1997) The physics of debris flows. Rev Geophys 35:245–296
Luca I, Tai YC, Kuo CY (2009) Modelling shallow-gravity driven solid-fluid mixtures over arbitrary topography. Commun Math Sci 7:1–36
McDougall S, Hungr O (2004) A model for the analysis of rapid landslide motion across three-dimensional terrain. Can Geotech J 41:1084–1097
McDougall S, Hungr O (2005) Dynamic modeling of entrainment in rapid landslides. Can Geotech J 42:1437–1448
Mergili M, Fellin W, Moreiras SM, Stötter J. Simulation of debris flows in the Central Andes based on open source GIS: possibilities, limitations, and parameter sensitivity (Submitted to Natural Hazards)
O’Brien, JS (2003) FLO-2D Users’ manual version 2003. 06 July 2003. FLO-2D Software Inc., Nutrioso, Arizona, 232pp
Perla R, Cheng TT, McClung DM (1980) A two-parameter model of snow avalanche motion. J Glaciol 26:197–207
Pudasaini SP (2003) Dynamics of flow avalanches over curved and twisted channels. Theory, numerics and experimental validation. Dissertation, Technical University of Darmstadt, Germany
Pudasaini SP (2011) A general two-fluid debris flow model. Geophys Res Abstr 13:EGU2011-4205-1
Revellino P, Guadagno FM, Hungr O (2008) Morphological methods and dynamic modelling in landslide hazard assessment of the Campania Apennine carbonate slope. Landslides 5(1):59–70
Rickenmann D (1999) Empirical relationships for debris flows. Nat Hazards 19:47–77
Sampl P, Zwinger T (2004) Avalanche simulation with SAMOS. Ann Glaciol 38:393–398
Savage SB, Hutter K (1989) The motion of a finite mass of granular material down a rough incline. J Fluid Mech 199:177–215
Scheidegger AE (1973) On the prediction of the reach and velocity of catastrophic landslides. Rock Mech 5:231–236
Vandre BC (1985) Rudd creek debris flow. In: Bowles DS (ed) Delineation of landslide, flash flood and debris flow hazards in Utah, Utah Water Research Laboratory, pp 117–131
Voellmy A (1955) Über die Zerstörungskraft von Lawinen. Schweizerische Bauzeitung 73:159–162, 212–217, 246–249, 280–285
Wang Y, Hutter K, Pudasaini SP (2004) The Savage-Hutter theory: a system of partial differential equations for avalanche flows of snow, debris, and mud. J Appl Math Mech 84:507–527
Acknowledgments
The work was supported by the Tyrolean Science Funds. Special thanks for fruitful discussions go to Kolumban Hutter, Jean F. Schneider and Mechthild Thalhammer.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Mergili, M., Schratz, K., Ostermann, A., Fellin, W. (2013). A GRASS GIS Implementation of the Savage-Hutter Avalanche Model and Its Application to the 1987 Val Pola Event. In: Margottini, C., Canuti, P., Sassa, K. (eds) Landslide Science and Practice. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-31310-3_50
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-31310-3_50
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-31309-7
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-31310-3
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceEarth and Environmental Science (R0)