Model tests on the effects of boundary conditions on the run-out and deposition processes of ice avalanche
GONG Cheng1, 2, HUANG Hai3*, YANG Yongjie3, 4, ZHANG Yuqi3
(1. Institute of Karst Geology, CAGS/Key Laboratory of Karst Dynamics, MNR & GZAR/International Research Center on Karst
under the Auspices of UNESCO, Guilin, Guangxi 541004, China; 2. Geosafety Research Centre of Chongqing, China Geological
Survey, Chongqing 401329, China; 3. Institute of Exploration Technology, China Academy of Geological Sciences, Chengdu,
Sichuan 611734, China; 4. Sichuan Water Development Investigation, Design and Research Co., Ltd.,
Chengdu, Sichuan 610015, China)
Abstract： Ice avalanches are a primary trigger for glacier-related disaster chains in high-mountain regions. Understanding how boundary conditions influence the dynamics and deposition of ice avalanche debris flows is crucial for deciphering the evolution of such disaster chains. This study systematically investigates the motion and depositional behavior of ice avalanche debris flows under varying mass, elevation differences, slope gradients, and toe constraints, utilizing a chute-based experimental setup within a low-temperature laboratory. Key parameters, including flow velocity, basal force, and deposition morphology, are analyzed throughout the debris flow movement. Results indicate that elevation differences and mass govern the dynamic energy transfer within the flows. Specifically, elevation differences control depositional dispersion by regulating peak flow velocity, while mass influences travel duration, resulting in a positive correlation between run-out length and deposit thickness. Furthermore, topographic conditions significantly affect energy dissipation during deposition. An increased slope gradient in the run-out zone reduces basal resistance, thereby expanding the depositional area and enhancing particle scattering at the flow front. A wider slope toe promotes lateral spreading, increasing travel distance and shifting the mass center, which transforms deposit morphology from tongue-shaped to fan-shaped. Finally, theoretical analysis confirms that run-out distance is dictated by the efficiency of kinetic energy transfer among particles and their interaction with the substrate, exhibiting a positive correlation with both particle energy-transfer efficiency and fluctuations in basal stress.
龚 诚1，2，黄 海3*，杨永杰3，4，张雨琪3. 边界条件对冰崩碎屑流运动与堆积特性影响的模型试验研究[J]. 岩石力学与工程学报, 2026, 45(2): 483-495.
GONG Cheng1, 2, HUANG Hai3*, YANG Yongjie3, 4, ZHANG Yuqi3. Model tests on the effects of boundary conditions on the run-out and deposition processes of ice avalanche. , 2026, 45(2): 483-495.
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2026, Vol. 45 
