Application of capacitance instrumentation to the measurement of density and velocity of flowing snow

Michel Y. Louge; Roland Steiner; Stephen C. Keast; Rand Decker; James Dent; Martin Schneebeli

doi:10.1016/S0165-232X(96)00016-X

Application of capacitance instrumentation to the measurement of density and velocity of flowing snow

Michel Y. Louge, Roland Steiner, Stephen C. Keast, Rand Decker, James Dent, Martin Schneebeli

Civil Engineering, Construction Management, and Environmental Engineering

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

We describe capacitance instrumentation suitable for the measurement of density and velocity of flowing snow with moderate liquid-phase water content. A wand, consisting of two adjacent sensors protected by guard circuits, produces signals that are related to snow density through calibration. Cross-correlation of the signals permits velocity measurements. Calibration is accomplished using a capacitance device that records the dielectric properties of a snow sample while subjecting it to controlled levels of compaction and volume change. Non-invasive probe geometries are also presented. The instrumentation is tested in artificial and natural avalanches.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	47-63
Number of pages	17
Journal	Cold Regions Science and Technology
Volume	25
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-232X(96)00016-X
State	Published - Jan 1997

Keywords

Avalanche
Dielectric properties
Electrical methods
Measurement
Snow

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology
General Earth and Planetary Sciences

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10.1016/S0165-232X(96)00016-X

Cite this

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title = "Application of capacitance instrumentation to the measurement of density and velocity of flowing snow",

abstract = "We describe capacitance instrumentation suitable for the measurement of density and velocity of flowing snow with moderate liquid-phase water content. A wand, consisting of two adjacent sensors protected by guard circuits, produces signals that are related to snow density through calibration. Cross-correlation of the signals permits velocity measurements. Calibration is accomplished using a capacitance device that records the dielectric properties of a snow sample while subjecting it to controlled levels of compaction and volume change. Non-invasive probe geometries are also presented. The instrumentation is tested in artificial and natural avalanches.",

keywords = "Avalanche, Dielectric properties, Electrical methods, Measurement, Snow",

author = "Louge, \{Michel Y.\} and Roland Steiner and Keast, \{Stephen C.\} and Rand Decker and James Dent and Martin Schneebeli",

note = "Funding Information: The lead author is indebted to the entire staff of the Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research for their advice and support during the Davos test campaign. He is particularly grateful to Christian Camponovo, Dieter Issler, Martin Hiller and Gunter Klausegger for their active participation, hospitality and assistance during the experiments. He is equally grateful to Walter Ammann for suggesting the avalanche tests and securing the generous financial support of the Swiss Federal Government.",

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AU - Louge, Michel Y.

AU - Steiner, Roland

AU - Keast, Stephen C.

AU - Decker, Rand

AU - Dent, James

AU - Schneebeli, Martin

N1 - Funding Information: The lead author is indebted to the entire staff of the Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research for their advice and support during the Davos test campaign. He is particularly grateful to Christian Camponovo, Dieter Issler, Martin Hiller and Gunter Klausegger for their active participation, hospitality and assistance during the experiments. He is equally grateful to Walter Ammann for suggesting the avalanche tests and securing the generous financial support of the Swiss Federal Government.

PY - 1997/1

Y1 - 1997/1

N2 - We describe capacitance instrumentation suitable for the measurement of density and velocity of flowing snow with moderate liquid-phase water content. A wand, consisting of two adjacent sensors protected by guard circuits, produces signals that are related to snow density through calibration. Cross-correlation of the signals permits velocity measurements. Calibration is accomplished using a capacitance device that records the dielectric properties of a snow sample while subjecting it to controlled levels of compaction and volume change. Non-invasive probe geometries are also presented. The instrumentation is tested in artificial and natural avalanches.

AB - We describe capacitance instrumentation suitable for the measurement of density and velocity of flowing snow with moderate liquid-phase water content. A wand, consisting of two adjacent sensors protected by guard circuits, produces signals that are related to snow density through calibration. Cross-correlation of the signals permits velocity measurements. Calibration is accomplished using a capacitance device that records the dielectric properties of a snow sample while subjecting it to controlled levels of compaction and volume change. Non-invasive probe geometries are also presented. The instrumentation is tested in artificial and natural avalanches.

KW - Avalanche

KW - Dielectric properties

KW - Electrical methods

KW - Measurement

KW - Snow

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ER -

Application of capacitance instrumentation to the measurement of density and velocity of flowing snow

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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