Fragmentation energy in rock avalanches

2006 ◽  
Vol 43 (8) ◽  
pp. 830-851 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pascal Locat ◽  
Réjean Couture ◽  
Serge Leroueil ◽  
Jacques Locat ◽  
Michel Jaboyedoff
Keyword(s):  
Rocky Mountains ◽  
Point Load ◽  
Diameter Ratio ◽  
European Alps ◽  
Canadian Rocky Mountains ◽  
Point Load Strength ◽  
Fragmentation Energy ◽  
Rock Avalanches ◽  
Intact Rock Mass ◽  
The Mean

Fragmentation is one of the mechanisms involved in rock avalanches. Quantifying the associated energy during a rock avalanche can help to assess the influence of fragmentation on post-failure mass movements. In this paper, in situ block size distributions of the intact rock mass and the debris deposits are presented and analyzed for nine rock avalanches, five in the Canadian Rocky Mountains and four in the European Alps. Degrees of fragmentation are estimated from these data. Two methods are examined to assess fragmentation energy, one based on the comminution theory, and one on the blasting energy used in the mining industry. The results show that, for the studied rock avalanches, there is a relationship between the reduction in diameter ratio, Rr = D50/d50 (where D50 and d50 are the mean diameter of the intact rock mass and the mean diameter of the debris, respectively), and the potential energy per unit volume normalized with respect to the point load strength of rock (γHG/σc), where γ is the unit weight of the material, HG is the vertical distance between the centres of gravity of the mass at the start and end positions, and σc is the point load strength). For the cases studied, fragmentation energy calculations average 20% of the potential energy. An empirical relationship between Rr and γHG/σc has been established and is used in the definition of a disintegration index (ID). This index seems to reflect the physics of the disintegration process, since it accounts for the fact that the reduction in diameter ratio is a function of the dissipated energy and the strength of the rock. These factors have long been known to affect fragmentation but have never been presented in a coherent manner for rock avalanches.Key words: rock avalanches, disintegration, fragmentation energy, Canadian Rocky Mountains, European Alps.

scholarly journals Post-depositional modification of stable water isotopes in winter snowpacks in the Canadian Rocky Mountains

2008 ◽  
Vol 49 ◽  
pp. 96-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.E. Sinclair ◽  
S.J. Marshall
Keyword(s):  
Rocky Mountains ◽  
Temporal Change ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Regression Line ◽  
Water Isotopes ◽  
Canadian Rocky Mountains ◽  
Phase Precipitation ◽  
Stable Water Isotopes ◽  
Insulating Layer ◽  
The Mean

AbstractTo assess the seasonal stability of the δ18O stratigraphy in winter snowpacks in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, snow pits were sampled over three accumulation seasons at two field sites. These sites, Opabin and Haig Glaciers, are ~160km apart at similar elevations and represent windward and lee-slope environments respectively. At both sites, snow pits were sampled at one glacier and one forefield location throughout each accumulation season. Intra-seasonal changes in δ18O at each site were examined to determine the extent of post-depositional modification of isotope stratigraphies. At both glacier sites, there was minimal temporal change before the onset of spring melt in all years. In addition, the similar structure of δ18O profiles from both glacier sites suggests that regional controls govern the isotopic composition of solid-phase precipitation across the study area. At forefield locations, the absence of an insulating layer of ice at the base of the snowpack allowed for vapour transport and post-depositional modification of the seasonal δ18O signal. This did not result in consistent changes to the mean δ18O, deuterium excess and δD–δ18O regression line slopes in the lower layers of snow, and the observed smoothing of δ18O profiles was less than that simulated by applying a diffusion model to these snowpacks.

Wildfires in the southern Canadian Rocky Mountains and their relationship to mid-tropospheric anomalies

1993 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 1213-1222 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.A. Johnson ◽  
D.R. Wowchuk
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Rocky Mountains ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Fire Frequency ◽  
Fuel Moisture ◽  
Large Fire ◽  
Canadian Rocky Mountains ◽  
Area Burned ◽  
Upper Level ◽  
Moisture Conditions

In this paper we present evidence for a large-scale (synoptic-scale) meteorological mechanism controlling the fire frequency in the southern Canadian Rocky Mountains. This large-scale control may explain the similarity in average fire frequencies and timing of change in average fire frequencies for the southern Canadian Rocky Mountains. Over the last 86 years the size distribution of fires (annual area burned) in the southern Canadian Rockies was distinctly bimodal, with a separation between small- and large-fire years at approximately 10–25 ha annual area burned. During the last 35 years, large-fire years had significantly lower fuel moisture conditions and many mid-tropospheric surface-blocking events (high-pressure upper level ridges) during July and August (the period of greatest fire activity). Small-fire years in this period exhibited significantly higher fuel moisture conditions and fewer persistent mid-tropospheric surface-blocking events during July and August. Mid-tropospheric surface-blocking events during large-fire years were teleconnected (spatially and temporally correlated in 50 kPa heights) to upper level troughs in the North Pacific and eastern North America. This relationship takes the form of the positive mode of the Pacific North America pattern.

Canadian Rocky Mountains

1903 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 685
Author(s):  
J. Norman Collie
Keyword(s):  
Rocky Mountains ◽  
Canadian Rocky Mountains

Spatial and temporal variations of fire regimes in the Canadian Rocky Mountains and Foothills of southern Alberta

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (11) ◽  
pp. 1117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Pierre Rogeau ◽  
Mike D. Flannigan ◽  
Brad C. Hawkes ◽  
Marc-André Parisien ◽  
Rick Arthur
Keyword(s):  
Rocky Mountains ◽  
Fire History ◽  
Fire Severity ◽  
Ecological Integrity ◽  
Fire Regimes ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
Fire Season ◽  
Canadian Rocky Mountains ◽  
Southern Alberta ◽  
Fire Exclusion

Like many fire-adapted ecosystems, decades of fire exclusion policy in the Rocky Mountains and Foothills natural regions of southern Alberta, Canada are raising concern over the loss of ecological integrity. Departure from historical conditions is evaluated using median fire return intervals (MdFRI) based on fire history data from the Subalpine (SUB), Montane (MT) and Upper Foothills (UF) natural subregions. Fire severity, seasonality and cause are also documented. Pre-1948 MdFRI ranged between 65 and 85 years in SUB, between 26 and 35 years in MT and was 39 years in UF. The fire exclusion era resulted in a critical departure of 197–223% in MT (MdFRI = 84–104 years). The departure in UF was 170% (MdFRI = 104 years), while regions of continuous fuels in SUB were departed by 129% (MdFRI = 149 years). The most rugged region of SUB is within its historical range of variation with a departure of 42% (MdFRI = 121 years). More mixed-severity burning took place in MT and UF. SUB and MT are in a lightning shadow pointing to a predominance of anthropogenic burning. A summer fire season prevails in SUB, but occurs from spring to fall elsewhere. These findings will assist in developing fire and forest management policies and adaptive strategies in the future.

The mechanical behavior of the Kettle Point oil shale

1986 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurice B. Dusseault ◽  
Matthias Loftsson ◽  
David Russell
Keyword(s):  
Oil Shale ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Organic Content ◽  
Point Load ◽  
Brazilian Test ◽  
Point Load Strength ◽  
Triaxial Strength ◽  
Deformation Properties ◽  
Strength And Deformation ◽  
Oil Shales

Samples of eastern black shale (Kettle Point oil shales, Ontario) were subjected to extensive mineralogical and geomechanical tests. We prove that the mineralogy, as measured by the ratio of quartz to illite, controls strength and deformation properties, and the organic material plays no significant role. The reason is that increasing clay content dilutes the rigid quartz–quartz grain contacts that are responsible for the high strengths and stiff behavior. Tests of temperature effects on point load strength of another low organic content oil shale confirm that organic matter is not important to mechanical properties in matrix-supported shales. Key words: shale, mineralogy, Brazilian test, triaxial strength, organic content, slake durability, thermogravimetry.

scholarly journals Point Load Test of Half-Cylinder Core Using the Numerical Model and Laboratory Tests: Size Suggestion and Correlation with Cylinder Core

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fengyu Ren ◽  
Huan Liu ◽  
Rongxing He ◽  
Guanghui Li ◽  
Yang Liu
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Model ◽  
Laboratory Tests ◽  
Failure Load ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Point Load ◽  
Diameter Ratio ◽  
Load Test ◽  
Index Test ◽  
Point Load Test ◽  
Calculation Procedures

The point load test (PLT) is intended as an index test for rock strength classification or estimations of other strength parameters because it is economical and simple to conduct in the laboratory and in field tests. In the literature, calculation procedures for cylinder cores, blocks, or irregular lumps can be found, but no study has researched such procedures for half-cylinder cores. This paper presents the numerical model and laboratory tests for half-cylinder and cylinder specimens. The results for half-cylinder and cylinder specimens are then presented, analysed, and discussed. A correlation of failure load between half-cylinder and cylinder specimens is established with a suitable size suggestion and correction factor. It is found that the failure load becomes stable when half-cylinder specimens have a length/diameter ratio higher than 0.9. In addition, the results show that the point load strength index (PLSI) of half-cylinder cores can be calculated using the calculation procedures for diametral testing on cylinder cores, and it is necessary to satisfy the conditions that the length/diameter ratio be higher than 0.9 and the failure load be multiplied by 0.8.

New Lower Jurassic ammonite faunas from the Fernie Formation, southern Canadian Rocky Mountains

1987 ◽  
Vol 24 (8) ◽  
pp. 1688-1704 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russell L. Hall
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
North American ◽  
Rocky Mountains ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
First Record ◽  
Lower Jurassic ◽  
Canadian Rocky Mountains ◽  
Poker Chip

New ammonite faunas are described from sections along Bighorn and Scalp creeks in central-western Alberta where Lower Jurassic parts of the Fernie Formation are exposed. The first record of the upper Sinemurian Obtusum Zone from the Fernie is based on the occurrence of Asteroceras cf. stellare and Epophioceras cf. breoni in the basal pebbly coquina on Bighorn Creek. The overlying Red Deer Member has yielded Amaltheus cf. stokesi, representing the upper Pliensbachian Margaritatus Zone; in immediately superjacent strata the first North American examples of ?Amauroceras occur together with Protogrammoceras and ?Aveyroniceras. In the basal parts of the overlying Poker Chip Shale a fauna including Harpoceras cf. falciferum, Harpoceratoides, Polyplectus cf. subplanatus, Hildaites cf. serpentiniformis, and Dactylioceras cf. athleticum is correlated with the lower Toarcian Falciferum Zone.The upper parts of the Poker Chip Shale on Fording River in southeastern British Columbia contain a fauna representing some part of the upper Toarcian, but owing to poor preservation, generic identifications are only tentatively made.

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