Monitoring micro-failures prior to granular avalanches using Diffusive Acoustic Wave Spectroscopy and Grain Tracking

Ibrahim Awada; Michel Bornert; Vincent Langlois; Julien Léopoldès

doi:10.1051/epjconf/202534010011

Monitoring micro-failures prior to granular avalanches using Diffusive Acoustic Wave Spectroscopy and Grain Tracking

Ibrahim Awada
, Michel Bornert
, Vincent Langlois
, Julien Léopoldès

Université Gustave Eiffel

Research output: Contribution to journal › Conference article › peer-review

Abstract

Granular avalanches occur in both natural and industrial environments, influencing landscape evolution and posing risks in engineering applications. Understanding their precursors is crucial for predicting failure events and mitigating hazards. This study explores kinematic indicators of impending avalanches through strain fluctuations, measured via Diffusive AcousticWave Spectroscopy and grain tracking. We find that strain fluctuations grow exponentially as the system approaches the avalanche angle, and that the amplitude of this growth is controlled by the initial packing fraction of the pile.

Original language	English
Article number	10011
Journal	EPJ Web of Conferences
Volume	340
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/202534010011
Publication status	Published - 1 Dec 2025
Externally published	Yes
Event	10th International Conference on Micromechanics on Granular Media, Powders and Grains 2025 - Candolim, Goa, India Duration: 8 Dec 2025 → 12 Dec 2025

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title = "Monitoring micro-failures prior to granular avalanches using Diffusive Acoustic Wave Spectroscopy and Grain Tracking",

abstract = "Granular avalanches occur in both natural and industrial environments, influencing landscape evolution and posing risks in engineering applications. Understanding their precursors is crucial for predicting failure events and mitigating hazards. This study explores kinematic indicators of impending avalanches through strain fluctuations, measured via Diffusive AcousticWave Spectroscopy and grain tracking. We find that strain fluctuations grow exponentially as the system approaches the avalanche angle, and that the amplitude of this growth is controlled by the initial packing fraction of the pile.",

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AU - Awada, Ibrahim

AU - Bornert, Michel

AU - Langlois, Vincent

AU - Léopoldès, Julien

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © The Authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2025.

PY - 2025/12/1

Y1 - 2025/12/1

N2 - Granular avalanches occur in both natural and industrial environments, influencing landscape evolution and posing risks in engineering applications. Understanding their precursors is crucial for predicting failure events and mitigating hazards. This study explores kinematic indicators of impending avalanches through strain fluctuations, measured via Diffusive AcousticWave Spectroscopy and grain tracking. We find that strain fluctuations grow exponentially as the system approaches the avalanche angle, and that the amplitude of this growth is controlled by the initial packing fraction of the pile.

AB - Granular avalanches occur in both natural and industrial environments, influencing landscape evolution and posing risks in engineering applications. Understanding their precursors is crucial for predicting failure events and mitigating hazards. This study explores kinematic indicators of impending avalanches through strain fluctuations, measured via Diffusive AcousticWave Spectroscopy and grain tracking. We find that strain fluctuations grow exponentially as the system approaches the avalanche angle, and that the amplitude of this growth is controlled by the initial packing fraction of the pile.

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105024492876

U2 - 10.1051/epjconf/202534010011

DO - 10.1051/epjconf/202534010011

M3 - Conference article

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Y2 - 8 December 2025 through 12 December 2025

ER -

Monitoring micro-failures prior to granular avalanches using Diffusive Acoustic Wave Spectroscopy and Grain Tracking

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