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SHOVEL TILT TEST [2 records]

Record 1 2009-01-30

English

Subject field(s)
  • Atmospheric, Climatic and Meteorological Phenomena
CONT

The shovel shear test provides information about the location where the snow could fail in shear. It is best applied for identification of buried weak layers and does not usually produce useful results in layers close to the snow surface. Soft snow near the surface is better tested with the tilt board and the shear frame or an improvised version of this tilt test.

CONT

Shovel Shear Test. This test can be done on a flat or on a slope. With good technique, the location of weak layers, even thin weak layers, can be found. First dig a hole or pit in the snow. The vertical wall of the pit should be straight up and down, and smooth. Make a mark on the uphill portion of one corner of your pit with your shovel blade. This will mark the boundaries of your column, which should be roughly 30 cm by 30 cm or 12 inches square. (A) Now, cut both sides using a snow saw or your ski, all the way to the floor of the pit making sure that the cuts are straight. (B) The back of the column should only be cut as deep as your shovel blade is long, so measure with your shovel blade (C) and then cut the back. (D) Next, insert your shovel, blade down, in the back cut of the column and pull gently and evenly forward being careful not to lever your shovel handle. (E) Examine the shear layer where the block failed. (F) The force applied to the shovel that causes a weak layer to shear from the layers surrounding it can be rated as follows: Very easy ... Easy ... Moderate ... Hard ...

CONT

The results of the shovel shear test were inconclusive. [Example approved by the Avalanche Bulletin Terminology Standardization Committee.]

OBS

Shovel test : abbreviated form of "shovel shear test. "Shovel test may also refer to the shovel tilt test or the shovel compression test.

OBS

Observers are cautioned that identification of the weak layers is the primary objective of the shovel shear test. The shovel shear test is not a stability test.

OBS

shovel shear test: term officially approved by the Avalanche Bulletin Terminology Standardization Committee.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Phénomènes météorologiques, climatiques et atmosphériques
CONT

Le test de la pelle consiste à isoler une tranche du manteau neigeux de base carrée (la largeur est celle de la pelle, soit une trentaine de centimètres en moyenne), puis à la tirer vers soi ou à la charger pour détecter la présence de plan(s) de glissement potentiel(s).

CONT

Le test de cisaillement à la pelle n'a pas donné de résultats définitifs. [Exemple entériné par le Comité d'uniformisation de la terminologie des bulletins d'avalanche.]

OBS

[Ce test n'est] pas à proprement parler un test de stabilité.

OBS

Test de la pelle. [...] Il existe plusieurs variantes de ce test sous la même désignation. Méthode Faarlund. [...] Méthode de Munter.

OBS

test de cisaillement à la pelle; essai de cisaillement à la pelle : termes uniformisés par le Comité d'uniformisation de la terminologie des bulletins d'avalanche.

Spanish

Save record 1

Record 2 2006-11-07

English

Subject field(s)
  • Atmospheric, Climatic and Meteorological Phenomena
DEF

A field test for finding weak layers in soft snow (typically new snow).

CONT

shovel burp test. ... The test is carried out by lifting a block of snow on a shovel, tapping the shovel, and observing the location and character of a failure.

CONT

Shovel tilt test... To test for weak layers near the top of the snowpack, cut a square column with sides about 30 centimetres(12 inches) wide. Pick up the top 30-40 centimetres(12-16 inches) of the column on your shovel, tilt the shovel blade to about 15° and tap the bottom of the shovel with your hand, gently at first, then harder. Weak layers within the snow block will show up as smooth fractures.

CONT

Check for weakness in the new snow using a burp test. [Example approved by the Avalanche Bulletin Terminology Standardization Committee.]

OBS

Do not confuse the "burp test" with the "burp the baby test" which can be described as follows: "... completely isolate a column. Then tip the column toward you, rest it against your shoulder and pat the back of the column with your hand like burping a baby (Tremper, B. "Simple Stability Tests," www.avalanche.org).

OBS

burp test; shovel tilt test : terms officially approved by the Avalanche Bulletin Terminology Standardization Committee.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Phénomènes météorologiques, climatiques et atmosphériques
DEF

Essai visant à déceler des couches fragiles dans la neige tendre (normalement de la neige fraîche), réalisé en soulevant un bloc de neige à l'aide d'une pelle, puis en tapotant par en dessous pour observer l'endroit où des ruptures se produisent ainsi que leurs caractéristiques.

CONT

Essai par tapotement. Afin de vérifier la présence éventuelle de couches fragiles près de la surface du manteau neigeux, dégagez un carré de neige d'environ 30 cm (12 pouces) de chaque côté. À l'aide d'une pelle, soulevez la tranche supérieure de 30 cm (de 12 pouces à 16 pouces) et tapotez sous la pelle, légèrement d'abord puis avec plus de fermeté (ensuite). Les couches fragiles du bloc seront ainsi révélées et prendront l'aspect de ruptures uniformes.

CONT

Effectuez un test de tapotement pour vérifier la présence d'éventuelles couches fragiles dans les couches superficielles du manteau neigeux. [Exemple entériné par le Comité d'uniformisation de la terminologie des bulletins d'avalanche.]

CONT

Vérifiez la présence de couches fragiles dans la nouvelle neige à l'aide d'essais par tapotement. [Exemple entériné par le Comité d'uniformisation de la terminologie des bulletins d'avalanche.]

OBS

test de tapotement; essai par tapotement : termes uniformisés par le Comité d'uniformisation de la terminologie des bulletins d'avalanche.

Spanish

Save record 2

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