Multi-sensor couplers and waveguides for efficient detection of acoustic emission behavior of snow

• Conceptualization of waveguides and arrestors for AE applications in snow and avalanches
• Optimization of sensor frequencies and method for efficient detection of AE from snow
• Design & test results of waveguides/arrestors for real time detection of AE activity from a snowpack
• Deformation induced AE modeling of snow using multi sensor couplers and waveguides
• Real time estimation of true AE energy during fracturing of a snow sample

The efficient detection of acoustic emission (AE) activity from snow having porous and fragile character is hindered by the fact that the AE signals have small amplitudes and are typically attenuated within a short distance from the source. We therefore tested seven different types of highly sensitive resonant AE sensors and a multi-channel AE system in a wide frequency range of 1 kHz–400 kHz to evaluate the performance of multi-sensor coupler and waveguides with varying displacement rates. The AE generated during small fracturing of a natural snowpack, caused by a ram penetrometer, were detected using a cylindrical waveguide and a detection range of up to 16 m with detection efficiency of 38 dBAE were observed in snow. The AE activities produced by the snowpack were continuously recorded using a 2D-arrestor for AE in relation with the natural melt-freeze process. Prominent AE activity was observed near the phase-transition temperature of snow. Furthermore, spectral analysis of the AE signals generated by snow was carried out using the Short-time Fast Fourier Transform (ST-FFT) method. The AE behavior of snow was observed at different states of stress by varying from low to high, corresponding to different frequency ranges and grain sizes and an empirical relation was established for peak AE rates as a function of displacement rate. Apart from it, an attempt was made to monitor the real time failure of snow sample vis-à-vis AE energy with the help of an AE system and a high-speed camera. Our results are quite encouraging towards application of AE technique in the direction of slope stability evaluation and AE-based non-destructive evaluation of snow under various physical processes. The network of acoustic arrestors and waveguides can be crucial towards prediction of slope stability in view of avalanche release.