WSL > Research units > Avalanches and Prevention > Projects

Research Units Avalanches and Prevention Avalanche forecasting Warning and information systems Avalanche Dynamics, Risk Management Formation of Avalanches Protective measures Projects RAMMS contact FAQ

RAMMS News Box

Demo-version of RAMMS::AVALANCHE and RAMMS::DEBRIS FLOW.

Selected Publications

Christen, M.; Bühler, Y.; Bartelt, P.and Leine, R. G. J.; Schweizer, A.; Graf, C.; McArdell, B.; Gerber, W.; Deubelbeiss, Y.; Feistl, T. & Volkwein, A. In: Koboltschnig, G.; Hübl, J. & Braun, J. (Eds.)
Integral hazard management using a unified software environment: numerical simulation tool "RAMMS" for gravitational natural hazards. INTERPRAEVENT, 2012, 77 - 86.
Bartelt, P.; Bühler, Y.; Buser, O.; Christen, M. & Meier, L. 2012: Modeling mass-dependent flow regime transitions to predict the stopping and depositional behavior of snow avalanches, J. Geophys. Res., 117, F01015, doi:10.1029/2010JF001957.
Bühler et al. 2011: Sensitivity of snow avalanche simulations to digital elevation model quality and resolution. Annals of Glaciology. 52(58), 72 - 80.
Christen et al. 2010: RAMMS: Numerical simulation of dense snow avalanches in three-dimensional terrain. Cold Regions Science and Technology. 63, 1 - 14.
Christen et al. 2010: Back calculation of the In den Arelen avalanche with RAMMS: Interpretation of model results. Annals of Glaciology. 51(54), 161 - 168.

RAMMS Rapid Mass Movement Simulation

Two-dimensional modelling in 3D alpine terrain - A valuable tool for research and practice

RAMMS Homepage

In the field of natural hazards there is a strong need for process models or tools where both the process and interaction with proposed mitigation measures can be evaluated. SLF and WSL have developed a unified software package, for both research and practice, where flow avalanches, debris flows, rockfall, and mitigation measures are combined in one tool. This approach allows exploitation of dynamical similarities in the processes and, because many mitigation measures also protect against hazards for which they were not originally intended, the common interface allows for a comprehensive evaluation of mitigation measures. The user interface (gui) uses many GIS tools, to rapidly define the boundaries of the computational grid and to simplify the definition of the source area for avalanches.

RAMMS consists of the process modules avalanche, debris flow and rockfall (under construction) and a visualization module.

Keywords:

RAMMS, Rapid Mass Movements, avalanches, debris flows, rock fall, natural hazards