Flow Characteristics of an Unconstrained, Non-Cohesive, Granular Medium Down an Inclined, Curved Surface: Preliminary Experimental Results

Abstract

Some preliminary experimental results are presented, which characterize the behaviour of small-scale artificial avalanches. The laboratory simulation consisted of releasing a finite mass of non-cohesive granular material to flow without restriction down an inclined surface which includes a curved part at the base where the run-out zone is encountered. Three contrasting materials, of 3 mm and 5 mm diameter size sortings, and also two different bed roughnesses were used.Results indicate that a theoretical model which presumes a flow-regime-type avalanche may be too restrictive, in the sense that it describes a limiting case which does not often occur even under controlled conditions. Some suggestions are made for amendments to current theoretical concepts.