Model and algorithm of interaction of an avalanche with buildings
Authors:   Voronezh State Technical
            University, Kalach Andrey Vladimirovich ,   Voronezh Institute of the
            Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia, Solovyov Alexander Semenovich ,   Voronezh Institute of the
            Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia, Lentyaeva Tatyana Vladimirovna ,   MIREA – Russian
            Technological University, Institute of Information Technology
Published: December 2024

Introduction. The movement of avalanche-prone snow masses is typical for many
regions of the world. The danger of avalanches occurs already at a slope of 20°. Most
avalanches descend on slopes of 38°. The volume of moving snow varies very widely and
depends on the thickness of the snow cover, mountain terrain, vegetation, temperature,
humidity and many other factors. The estimation of snow dynamics using models has great
potential, given the availability of satellite data and the possibilities of effective
numerical methods. However, most existing avalanche models do not take into account the
fragmentation of the snow mass during an avalanche. Development of modern models that
take into account the basic mechanical properties of snow: density, the modulus of
elasticity, the internal coefficient of friction, the amount of deformation, the ability
to delaminate to predict the consequences of the interaction of an avalanche with
buildings is an actual applied problem. The aim of the study is to develop a new model
and algorithm for predicting the consequences of the interaction of an avalanche with
infrastructure elements (buildings and structures) and to increase the effectiveness of
monitoring seasonal snow cover. Research methods. The particle dynamics method was used
to simulate the movement of avalanche-prone snow masses. Results and discussion. The
article discusses the results of the development of an original model and algorithm for
predicting the consequences of the interaction of an avalanche with infrastructure
elements (buildings). To simulate the movement of avalanche-prone snow masses, the
particle dynamics method was used, which, compared with the concept of a continuous
medium, requires less preliminary information about the properties of the simulated
medium. The angle of inclination to the horizon was used as the main characteristic of
the mountain slope, and the thickness of snow deposits, density, size of snow elements,
stiffness coefficients and friction between elements and the slope surface were used to
describe the snow mass. The quantitative results of the avalanche impact on buildings
were calculated using the modified numerical Euler-Cauchy method. For a detailed study
of the displacement and destruction of buildings by an avalanche, a software
implementation of an algorithm for solving a mathematical model has been created. It is
shown that the developed model quite adequately describes the results of an avalanche.
Conclusion. Based on the particle dynamics method, a volumetric model of an avalanche
has been developed, which takes into account three groups of parameters: parameters
characterizing the building; parameters of the destructive effect of snow; properties of
the snow mass itself. For a detailed study of the displacement and destruction of
buildings by an avalanche, a software implementation of the algorithm for solving a
mathematical model has been created. The developed computer program allows multiple
computer simulations of an avalanche and determination on this basis of the impact of
the snow mass on buildings and structures encountered on the way of its movement, as
well as forecasting the destructive consequences of the interaction of this natural
phenomenon with various infrastructure objects. Keywords: snow; avalanche; modeling;
particle dynamics; experiment; simulation; motion trajectory.