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Study on the microscopic failure mechanisms of snow under mixed loading conditions based on FDM-DEM
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DOI：10.1016/j.coldregions.2026.104918.png)
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Abstract
En 中文
The initiation of dry slab avalanches occurs through localized failure in a high-porosity weak layer beneath a cohesive snow slab. However, due to the fragile structure of the weak snow layer, it is challenging to conduct mechanical experiments directly in the laboratory or field. This study aims to reveal the microscopic failure mechanisms of the weak snow layer under mixed loading conditions using numerical simulation methods. A snow model with inhomogeneous characteristics, based on a Weibull distribution, was constructed using the FDM (finite difference method)-DEM (Discrete Element Method) approach to investigate the mechanical properties of snow under mixed loading conditions and uncover its microscopic failure mechanisms. The results show that the mechanical behavior of snow under compressive and shear loads can be divided into four stages: elastic stress rise, rapid stress drop, brittle failure, and densification. Under tensile loading, the snow exhibits purely brittle behavior. Mixed loading experiments reveal that the snow transitions from anisotropy to isotropy during the failure process, with a significant reduction in anisotropy under shear load. The 48 mixed loading experiments demonstrate that snow strength increases significantly under high density and high/low loading angles, while strength is minimal under shear loading. The load-strength curves for different densities align closely with the Gauss-Mod equation. These findings provide valuable insights for further research on the mechanical properties of snow.
Keywords:
FDM-DEM
Mixed loading conditions
Snow
Microscopic failure mechanisms
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