Herrmann, Hans

Kadau, Dirk

Puzrin, Alexander

Springman, Sarah

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Granular Matter (2010) 12:209–210DOI 10.1007/s10035-010-0183-xFrom shear bands to rapid flow: editorialScientific Conference in Monte Verità, Switzerland, February 2009Dirk Kadau · Hans J. Herrmann · Sarah M. Springman ·Alexander PuzrinReceived: 25 February 2010 / Published online: 21 March 2010© Springer-Verlag 20101 Conference informationGuest editor/Managing Organizer:Dirk Kadau (ETH Zurich, Switzerland)Organizing Committee:Hans J. Herrmann (ETH Zurich, Switzerland)Sarah M. Springman (ETH Zurich, Switzerland)Alexander Puzrin (ETH Zurich, Switzerland)Ioannis Vardoulakis (NTU Athens, Greece)Conference web-site: http://www.shearbands.ethz.chD. Kadau (B) · H. J. HerrmannInstitute for Building Materials, ETH Zurich, Schafmattstr. 6,8093 Zürich, Switzerlande-mail: dkadau@ethz.chURL: http://www.comphys.ethz.chH. J. Herrmanne-mail: hjherrmann@ethz.chURL: http://www.comphys.ethz.chS. M. Springman, A. PuzrinInstitute for Geotechnical Engineering, ETH Zurich,Wolfgang-Pauli-Str.15, 8093 Zürich, Switzerlande-mail: sarah.springman@igt.baug.ethz.chURL: http://www.igt.ethz.ch/A. Puzrine-mail: alexander.puzrin@igt.baug.ethz.chURL: http://www.igt.ethz.ch/2 ThemeLandslides and snow avalanches have plagued mountainpopulations for ages and have therefore been of particularinterest in Swiss research activity. Indeed Switzerland doeshave highly sophisticated experimental installations to studyavalanches at the SLF in Davos and debris flows at WSL inDavos and VAW at ETH Zurich. A key factor controllingthe triggering and motion of a landslide or avalanches is themagnitude of shear stresses in the shear zone, i.e. the smallregion of high shear rate separating the mobilized mass fromthe underlying stationary ground. It can be studied from twopoints of view, either for geomaterials with dense packing as ashear band or for looser packings, in the more fluid-like viewas rapid granular flow. For both viewpoints, either continuumtheories or discrete modeling have been applied. In the lastdecades, the inter-disciplinarity of the topic brought togetherexperts from different scientific disciplines and fields. How-ever, still a common language is missing, leading to intensedebates about different approaches and the validity of certainassumptions and methods. Meanwhile the theoretical quan-titative prediction of all aspects of triggering, running andarrest of landsliding is not yet possible in a satisfactory wayfor hazard mitigation.3 LocationThe Centro Stefano Franscini (CSF) is the international con-ference center of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology(ETH) in Zurich, situated in the south of Switzerland (CantonTicino) at Monte Verità. It is located on the fascinating hillcalled the “Hill of Truth”, overlooking the town of Asconaand Lake Maggiore with its Brissago Islands. This beautifullocation has helped to create a relaxed atmosphere that has123210 D. Kadau et al.been ideally suited for intense discussion and initiation ofnew collaborations.4 Contributions to this special issueThe workshop has been highly interdisciplinary, bringingtogether speakers and participants from different scientificdisciplines, such as geo-engineering and physics, as well asresearchers and practicians. The group also mixed togethersenior researchers and younger researchers most fruitfully.All of this is reflected by the selected contributions publishedin this special issue.The topics of the papers are summarized in the follow-ing. Pastor et al and Muhlhaus present new insights on con-stitutive and rheological modeling. Goldhirsch shows howto migrate from the grain scale to continuum, Puzrin et alpresent a mathematical model for dynamic landslide initia-tion. Centrifuge technology is used for physical modeling ofsturzstroms by Imre et al as well as for physical modeling ofshear banding and strain softening by Röchter et al. Casiniet al present laboratory tests to characterize the soil behaviorat a test site. Philippe et al show an experimental granularstability analysis, whereas Schaefer et al investigate the flowbehavior of a granular avalanche by detailed experimentalanalysis.5 DedicationThis special issue is dedicated to the memory of our col-league and friend Professor Ioannis Vardoulakis. He was alsoa member of the organizing committee of this workshop. Hewill be remembered not only for his major contributions tothe fields of geomechanics and granular mechanics, resultingin an enormous number of important publications, but alsofor his collegiality and positive attitude to science and life.123

From shear bands to rapid flow: editorial: Scientific Conference in Monte Verità, Switzerland, February 2009

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From shear bands to rapid flow: editorial: Scientific Conference in Monte Verità, Switzerland, February 2009

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