Rows of vertical steel-silos filled with debris - an effective space-saving avalanche defense structure.

Abstract

Multiplate steel configurations, primarily used for road tunnels and culverts, are introduced as effective, flexible and space-saving avalanche defence structures. Silos of specified height and profile are filled with debris and located in rows or any actual defence pattern. The self-bearing vertical structures have fixed spacing for any given snowdepth and slope-angel. The layout, foundation, height, cross-section and quality of steel are adjusted to the internal and external dimensioning loads. Steel-silos are space-saving and more flexible than alternative defence structures of comparable efficiency, especially on sloping ground. They are also much faster and normally cheaper to construct than defence structures erected by concrete, stonewall, geo-textiles or steel fabrics. A variety of layouts and uses of multiplate corrugated steel profiles in avalanche mitigation are suggested.