A Model For Snow-Slab Failure Under Conditions Of Dynamic Loading

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Abstract
A stress-wave model is used to describe snow-slab failure under dynamic loading conditions. This model indicates that dilational waves and shear waves can interact with a thin, weak bedding layer underlying a snow slab causing dilatational and shear stresses in the layer. The magnitude and distribution of stresses in the layer are shown to depend strongly on the height of the loading source above the bedding plane, the difference in impedance between the slab and the loading source, the difference in impedance between the slab and its substratum, and the initial stress magnitude of the loading source. Failure occurs in the bedding layer when the generated stresses exceed the strength of the layer. This causes a loss of shear strength capacity at the bedding plane and a re-distribution of stress in the slab. If the shear capacity is reduced sufficiently the body-force loading of the slab will cause snow-slab failure.

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