Avalanche Dynamics

Avalanches, debris, mudflows and landslides are common and natural phenomena that occur worldwide, predominantly in mountainous regions. With an emphasis on snow avalanches, this book sets out to provide a survey and discussion about the motion of avalanche-like flows from initiation to run out. An important aspect of this book is the formulation and investigation of a simple but appropriate continuum mechanical model for the realistic prediction of geophysical flows of granular material. This will help the practitioners in the field to better understand the physical input and provide them with a tool for their work. Originating from many lectures the authors have given over the years, this instructive volume brings the reader to the forefront of research - an aim also supported by an extensive bibliogrpahy of almost 500 entries. Avalanche Dynamics should be accessible to, and is intended for, a broad readership of researchers, graduate students and practitioners with backgrounds in geophysics, geology, civil and mechanical engineering, applied mathematics and continuum physics.

• PIV technique
• Particle Image Velocimetry
• Savage-Hutter equations
• avalanches
• debris flows
• geophysics
• granular flows
• hyperbolic equations
• landslides
• mud flows
• natural hazards

From the reviews:

"This highly specialized book is interesting not only because of its important subject matter but also because of its egocentric perspective. … while readers who appreciate mathematics will find that the book provides an entree to the burgeoning field of granular avalanche research." (Richard M. Iverson, Journal of Geology, Vol. 116, 2008)

"Shiva Pudasaini … wrote this impressive compendium to summarize twenty years of research in the field of granular flows. … The readership targeted is clearly scientists … graduate students following courses in geophysics, applied mathematics, physics, and mechanics, as well as trained practitioners. … In conclusion, I warmly recommend the book to students, engineers, and scientists who have an interest in granular flows and/or snow avalanches. … it offers a unique way of entering the fascinating world of granular geophysical flows." (Christophe Ancey, Journal of Sedimentary Research, April, 2008)

"For geophysicists this book resumes the state-of-the-art of avalanche theory. … Avalanche Dynamics offers a historical and geographical survey of avalanche research in Europe and America and pursues the subject of granular materials in general. … The book is an encyclopaedic presentation of groundbreaking work. It deals adequately with the subject’s mathematics and physics. It should find its place on the desk of every avalanche researcher, and in the library of every geophysical institute."(Helmut Kirchner, Pure and Applied Geophysics, Vol. 165, 2008)

• Faculty of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Department of Geodynamics and Geophysics, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany

  Shiva P. Pudasaini

• Zürich, Switzerland

  Kolumban Hutter

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