Application of Explicit-MPS method for snow avalanche simulation

Abstract

The purpose of this study is improving and evaluating the numerical snow avalanche simulation model to investigate the flow shape, run-out distance, velocity, impact force and other properties. Model has been developed by applying the Moving Particle Simulation method (MPS method), which is one of the Lagrange-like analysis methods. Previous simulation developed by authors calculated the pressure field by implicit method called Semi-Implicit MPS method. On the other hand, the Explicit-MPS method which is applicable for high-speed calculations such as parallelization for large-scale analysis was introduced. Comparison with the data observed at the artificial avalanche experiments revealed the validity of the model; our model succeeded to reproduce the flow velocity and the run-out distance reasonably well. Further, the model was applied for two avalanche disaster cases in nature. Examination also proved that the model can be a useful tool to deepen our understanding of snow avalanches.