A one-dimensional analytical model for snow creep pressure on rigid structures

An analytical model for quasi-static creep forces parallel to the slope at the center of a long rigid structure on a snow-covered slope is derived and checked by the finite element method. The formulation accounts for interruption of snow creep (internal deformation) and glide (slip of the entire snowpack over the ground). The average pressure and length of the zone of influence of the structure upslope are predicted fairly accurately for the range of parameters of interest in comparison with finite element results assuming linear creep and glide constitutive laws. The model is also compared with the equations provided by Haefeli as used in the Swiss Guidelines for Avalanche Defense.