RAMMS ROCK Manual

RAMMS
rapid mass movements simulation
A numerical model for rockfall in research and practice
User Manual v1.5

Rockfall
WSL Institut für Schnee- und Lawinenforschung SLF

WSL Institut pour l‘étude de la neige et des avalanches SLF
WSL Instituto per lo studio della neve e delle valange SLF
WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF
faketext
Title picture: Rockfall at Fiznau (LU), Werner Gerber, 2003
Contributors (alphabetical order)
SLF/WSL:
Perry Bartelt
Yves Buehler
Marc Christen
Werner Gerber
James Glover
Maike Schneider
Centre of Mechanics ETH Zurich:
Christoph Glocker
Remco Leine
Adrian Schweizer
Manuscript update
May 23, 2013
Contents
1 Introduction 1
2 Learning by doing 3
3 Setup and first start 5

3.1 System requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3.2 Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3.2.1 Installation procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.3 Licensing Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.4 First Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.4.1 Personal License Request File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.4.2 Get the Personal License Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
3.5 Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
3.6 Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
4 Working with RAMMS 19

4.1 Preparations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
4.1.1 Project and Scenarios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
4.2 Model input data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
4.2.1 Topographic data - Digital Elevation Model (DEM) . . . . . . . . . . . 20
4.2.2 Friction parameters and drag layer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
4.2.3 Release information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
4.2.4 Rock geometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
4.2.5 Calculation parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
4.3 Creating a project with the Project Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
4.4 Working with the interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
4.4.1 Moving, resizing, rotating, viewing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
4.4.2 Colorbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
4.4.3 Changing maps and remote sensing imagery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
4.4.4 How to save input files and program settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
4.4.5 How to open input and output files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
i
Contents
4.4.6 About RAMMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

4.5 Running a simulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
4.5.1 Release points and release lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
4.5.2 Rock geometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
4.5.3 Terrain material . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
4.5.4 Surface cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
4.5.5 Running a simulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
4.5.6 Project information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
4.6 Visualization and analysis of the results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
4.6.1 Visualize different parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
4.6.2 Trajectory XY plot and Line profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
4.6.3 Creating an image or a GIF animation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
5 Program Overview 61
5.1 The Graphical User Interface (GUI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
5.1.1 The menu bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
5.1.2 Horizontal toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
5.1.3 Vertical toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
5.1.4 Main window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
5.1.5 Dump-step slider . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
5.1.6 Left status bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
5.1.7 Right status bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
5.1.8 Colorbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
5.1.9 Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
5.2 File management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
5.2.1 Software RAMMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
5.2.2 Organizing your data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
6 References and further reading 79

6.1 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
6.2 Publications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
List of Figures i
List of Exercises v
Index vii
ii RAMMS User Manual

1 Introduction
In the field of natural hazards there is an increasing need for process models to help understand
the motion of geophysical mass movements. These movements include snow avalanches, debris
flows, hillslope debris flows, landslides, rockfall and rock avalanches. Models allow engineers
to predict the speed and reach of these hazardous movements in complex terrain. Such
models are especially helpful when proposing mitigation measures, such as rockfall catch fences,
protection barriers and galleries. Hazard mapping, the primary application in Switzerland and
other mountainous countries, requires models that allow engineers to test different hazard
scenarios. An accurate prediction of velocities, heights, reach and impact pressures in general
three-dimensional terrain is the driving motivation for the development of dynamical mass
movement models.
RAMMS (Rapid Mass Movements Simulation) is a two-dimensional, state-of-the-art numerical

simulation model to calculate the motion of geophysical mass movements (rockfall, snow
avalanches, debris flows and shallow landslides) from initiation to runout in three-dimensional
terrain. It was designed to be used in practice by hazard engineers who need solutions to
real, everyday problems. It is coupled with a user-friendly visualization tool that allows them
to easily access, display and analyze simulation results. New constitutive models have been
developed and implemented in RAMMS, thanks to calibration and verification at full scale
tests at sites such as St. Léonard (rockfall, mitigation measures), Vallée de la Sionne (snow
avalanches) and Illgraben (debris flow). These models allow the application of RAMMS to solve
both large, extreme avalanche and rock avalanche events as well as smaller mass movements
such as hillslope debris flows, shallow landslides and rockfall.
RAMMS::Rockfall has been developed by the Centre of Mechanics at the ETH Zürich and the
RAMMS program team of the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF. This joint
project has been supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (Grant: SNF 200021-
119613). The Centre of Mechanics has been responsible for the development of the simulation
code, being in close contact with geological and geophysical experts from the SLF/WSL to
discuss modelling issues specific to rockfall mechanics. Furthermore, the SLF/WSL calibrated
and validated the simulation code and provided stone shapes. The RAMMS program team
of the SLF/WSL integrated the simulation code in an extensive user-interface. This manual
describes the features of the RAMMS program, allowing beginners to get started quickly as
well as serving as a reference to expert users.
1
CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION
The RAMMS web page http://ramms.slf.ch provides useful information such as a moder-
ated discussion forum, frequently asked questions (FAQ) or recent software updates. Please
visit this web page frequently to stay up to date!
DISCLAIMER
RAMMS is intended to be used as a tool to support experienced users. The interpretation

of the simulation results has to be done by a rockfall expert who is familiar with the
local as well as with the topographic and meteorological situation of the investigation
area. In no event shall WSL/SLF be liable for any damage or lost profits arising, directly
or indirectly, from the use of RAMMS. Swiss law applies. Court of jurisdiction is Davos.
If you encounter problems, please contact ramms@slf.ch.
2 RAMMS User Manual

2 Learning by doing
This manual provides an overview of RAMMS. Exercises exemplify different steps in setting up
and running a RAMMS simulation especially in Chapter 4: Working with RAMMS. How-
ever, to get the most from the manual, we suggest reading it through while simultaneously
having the RAMMS program open, learning by doing. We assume RAMMS users to have
a basic level of familiarity with windows-based programs, commands and general computer
terminology. We do not describe the basics of windows management (such as resizing or min-
imizing). RAMMS windows, click options and input masks are similar to other windows-based
programs and can be used, closed, reduced or resized in the same way.
3
3 Setup and first start
3.1 System requirements
We recommend the following minimum system requirements for running RAMMS:
• Operating System: Windows XP (32-bit) and Windows 7 (64-bit)

(or Windows Virtual Machine VM)
• RAM (memory): 2GB (more recommended)
• CPU: Intel Pentium 1 GHz (dual core recommended)
• Harddisk: ca. 200 MB
3.2 Installation
Please download the RAMMS setup file ramms_user_setup_64.zip for Windows 7 and
ramms_user_setup.zip for Windows XP from
http://ramms.slf.ch/ramms/downloads/ramms_user_setup_64.zip, respectively
http://ramms.slf.ch/ramms/downloads/ramms_user_setup.zip
Please do the following steps before starting to install RAMMS:
• Click on the path given above or copy the path to any browser. A window pops up and
the automatic download of the file ramms_user_setup_64.zip or ramms_user_setup.zip
start after clicking yes.
• You must have Administrator privileges on the target machine. If you do not have such
privileges, the installer cannot modify the system configuration of the machine and the
installation will fail. Note that you do not need Administrator privileges to run RAMMS
afterwards.
• Read first, install afterwards! Please read the whole installation process once, before you
begin the installation!
5
CHAPTER 3. SETUP AND FIRST START
3.2.1 Installation procedure
Step 1: Welcome
Start the file ramms1.5.01_user_setup_64.exe. The Welcome dialog introduces you to the
English Setup program and will guide you through the installation process. Click Next to
continue.
Figure 3.1: Installation - Welcome dialog window.
Step 2: Readme
Short introduction to RAMMS. Click Next to continue.
Figure 3.2: Installation - Readme dialog window.
6 RAMMS User Manual

3.2. INSTALLATION
Step 3: Accepting the License Agreement

Read the license agreement carefully and accept it by activating the check box in the lower
left corner. If you do not accept the license agreement, you are not able to proceed with the
installation. After accepting the license agreement, click Next to continue the installation.
Figure 3.3: Installation - License agreement dialog window.
Step 4: Select Destination Directory

Choose your Destination Directory. Simultaneously this dialog shows the amount of space
available on your hard disk and required for the installation. Click Next to start the installation
process.
Figure 3.4: Installation - Destination directory dialog window.
WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF 7

Step 5: Installing the files

RAMMS is copying the files to the destination location and showing the installation progress.
Figure 3.5: Installation - Installing files dialog window.
Step 6: Finished installing the files

RAMMS finished copying the files. Click Next to finish the installation process.
Figure 3.6: Installation - Finished installing files dialog window.
8 RAMMS User Manual

3.2. INSTALLATION
Step 7: RAMMS Installation finished!

RAMMS successfully finished the installation. Click Finish.
Figure 3.7: Installation - Finished installation dialog window.
Step 8: Welcome to IDL Visual Studio Merge Modules

To ensure all important system libraries are installed on your target machine follow the instruc-
tions below:
The Welcome dialog introduces you to the English Setup program and will guide you through
the installation process of the IDL Visual Studio Merge Modules. Click Next to continue.
Figure 3.8: IDL Visual Studio Merge Modules - Welcome dialog window.

Step 9: Ready to install the Program

Click Next to continue.
Figure 3.9: IDL Visual Studio Merge Modules - Ready to install the Program.
Step 10: Installing IDL Visual Studio Merge Modules

The Wizard is installing the files. Please wait until it is finished.
Figure 3.10: IDL Visual Studio Merge Modules - Installing...
10 RAMMS User Manual

3.2. INSTALLATION
Step 11: InstallShield Wizard Completed

The Wizard completed the installation. Click Finish.
Figure 3.11: Installation - Destination directory dialog window.
After having successfully installed RAMMS and the necessary files on your personal computer,
you will notice the RAMMS icon on your desktop (for all users):
Figure 3.12: RAMMS icon.
Additionally, a new application folder is created in Start → Programs (for all users):
• RAMMS → Run RAMMS
• RAMMS → Uninstall RAMMS
Figure 3.13: RAMMS program group.

3.3 Licensing Methods
Access to RAMMS is controlled by a Personal Use License. Personal use licenses are time lim-
ited licenses tied to a single personal computer. This method of licensing requires a machine’s
unique host ID to be incorporated into a license request file. After the license request file is sent
to WSL/SLF, you will receive a license key. Entering the license key on a personal computer
enables full RAMMS functionality for the specific personal computer. For more information
please visit http://ramms.slf.ch.
3.4 First Start
Double-click the icon or use Start → Programs → RAMMS → Run RAMMS to start RAMMS
for the first time. Whenever you start RAMMS, the splash screen below will pop up:
Figure 3.14: RAMMS start window.
Click on the image. It will disappear and RAMMS will start up. The following dialog window
appears (Fig. 3.15 RAMMS - Licensing):
Figure 3.15: RAMMS licensing window.

3.4. FIRST START
3.4.1 Personal License Request File
Click the button to create your personal license request file. In Fig. 3.16 enter your full
name and the name of your company.
Figure 3.16: Enter user name and company name.
In the next dialog window, choose the destination directory of your personal license request
file and save it to your target machine. Your personal license request file should look similar
to Fig. 3.17.
Figure 3.17: Personal license request file RAMMS_request_Muster Test.txt.

3.4.2 Get the Personal License Key
You find an order form on the RAMMS web page (Order Form or Demo Order Form) at
http://ramms.slf.ch. Fill in all your personal information, choose license period, license
typ and number of licenses you wish to order, attach your personal license request file, accept
the license agreement and click Submit Order.
An order confirmation email is sent to your email address. We then process your order and
send you an invoice. As soon as we received your payment, we will send you your personal
license key. Your personal license key is named similar to RAMMS_license_Muster Test.txt.
Open the file in a text-editor. It should look similar to Fig. 3.18.
Figure 3.18: Personal license key file RAMMS_license_Muster Test.txt.
Now, restart RAMMS (as explained before). Again, the pop-up window (Fig. 3.14) and then
the dialog window of Fig. 3.15 appears (RAMMS - Licensing). Copy the license key (in this
example: akck-3ijh-3jtl-2h5h-g340 ) and paste it at license key: (see Figure 3.15). If RAMMS
accepts your installation key, you successfully finished the installation.
3.5 Update
When you start RAMMS it will automatically check for updates on the internet. This could
lead to an error message, if your firewall blocks the executable idlrt.exe (this file starts the
IDL-Virtual Machine you need to run RAMMS). Please unblock this file for your firewall.
You can also disable the AutoWebUpdate-function by unchecking Help → Advanced... →
AutoWebUpdate. The WebUpdate-function can still be done manually under Help → Update...
→ Web Update or go to Help → Update... → get manually and download the file to your
local folder.

3.6. PREFERENCES
3.6 Preferences
Before starting to work with RAMMS, be sure to set your RAMMS preferences and place
the necessary DEM (Digital Elevation Model) files as well as the MAPS and georeferenced
IMAGERY you wish to use in the appropriate folders defined in the preferences, see Figs. 3.19
and 3.20.
Use Track → Preferences to open the RAMMS preferences window or click the button .
For resetting the general preferences use Help → Advanced... → Reset General Preferences.
Figure 3.19: General tab of RAMMS prefer- Figure 3.20: Rockfall tab of RAMMS pref-
ences. erences.

General tab
Setting Purpose
Set your working directory. VERY IMPOR-
Working directory TANT: Do NOT use BLANKS in the working
directory path!
Set the folder where you place your georeferenced
Map directory digital maps (consists of a .tif-file and a corre-
sponding .tfw-file (world-file).
Set the folder where you place your digital georef-
Image directory erenced orthophotos (aerial picture, consists of a
.tif-file and a corresponding .tfw-file (world-file).
Set the folder where you place the Digital
DEM directory Elevation Models (format: ASCII grid, see 4.2.1
on page 20)
Rockfall tab
Setting Purpose
Choose between reading ALL or only 1 timestep.
Read timesteps
Default is reading ALL timesteps.
Nr of colorbar colors Set default nr of colorbar colors.
Set values between 1 and 100 for magnification of
Rock magnification X
the rock size in the simulation.
GIF-Animation interval (s) Set interval for GIF-Animation images.
Set background color (greyscale between 0:black
Background color
and 255:white).
Set animation delay to decelerate the animation
Animation delay (s)
speed.

3.6. PREFERENCES
The following exercise "Working directory" shows how to choose a new working directory. All
further settings can be changed in a similar manner. The settings are saved, until they are
changed again manually.
Exercise 3.6.a: Working directory
Choosing the right working directory is very useful and saves a lot of time, searching for
files and folders.
VERY IMPORTANT: Do NOT use blanks or special characters in the path names!
◦ Click (or use Track → Preferences) to open the RAMMS preferences window.
◦ Click into the field Working directory, then the appearing arrow and Edit...
A window pops up where you can choose your new working directory. Click OK in
both windows.
Figure 3.21: RAMMS preferences. Figure 3.22: Browse for the correct folder.
End of Example 3.6.a

4 Working with RAMMS
All topographic base maps and aerial images shown in this manual are reproduced 2012
c
swisstopo (JD100007).
4.1 Preparations
To successfully start a new RAMMS project, a few important preparations are necessary.
Topographic input data (ascii format), project boundary coordinates and georeferenced maps
or remote sensing imagery should be prepared in advance (.tif format and .tfw-file, maps and
imagery are not mandatory, but nice to have). Georeferenced datasets have to be in a Cartesian
coordinate system (e.g. Swiss CH1903 LV03). Polar coordinate systems (e.g. WGS84 Long
Lat) are not supported. For more information about specific national coordinate systems please
contact the national topographic agency in your country.
4.1.1 Project and Scenarios

A project is defined for a region of interest. Within a project, one or more scenarios can be
specified and analyzed. For every scenario, a calculation can be executed. A project consists
therefore of different scenarios (input files) with different input parameter files (release and
friction files). The basic topographic input data is the same for every scenario. If you want
to change the topographic input data (e.g. change the input DEM resolution or the project
boundary coordinates) you have to create a new project. Other input parameters (like rock
shape, surface information, calculation domain, calculation grid resolution, end time, time step
etc.) can be changed for every scenario.
Figure 4.1: The same project extent (area of

interest) can be used to calculate different
scenarios with different input parameters.
19
CHAPTER 4. WORKING WITH RAMMS
4.2 Model input data
There are different kind of data to be provided to successfully perform a calculation with
RAMMS. Topographic data, definition of shape and mass of a rock as well as information
about friction parameters and terrain surface are mandatory.
4.2.1 Topographic data - Digital Elevation Model (DEM)
The topographic data is the most important input requirement. How a rock moves (i.e. final
runout distance, jump heights, translational and rotational velocities and total energy content
of the rock) are strongly influenced by the interaction with the terrain. Therefore the simulation
results depend strongly on the resolution and accuracy of the topographic input data. Before
you start a simulation make sure all important terrain features are represented in the input
DEM. RAMMS is able to process the following topographic data:
• ESRI ASCII grid (Fig. 4.2)

• ASCII X,Y,Z single space data (Fig. 4.3)
These data types are also available e.g. from www.swisstopo.ch. Because RAMMS needs the
topographic data as an ESRI ASCII grid, ASCII X,Y,Z data can be converted within RAMMS
into an ESRI ASCII grid. At this stage no other data types are processable. The user must
therefore prepare the topographic data according to this limitation. The header of an ESRI
ASCII grid must contain the information shown in Fig. 4.2
Figure 4.2: Example ESRI ASCII grid. Figure 4.3: Example ASCII X,Y,Z single space
data.
Conversion into ESRI ASCII grid

An ESRI ASCII grid can be created in ArcGIS with the function ArcToolbox → Conversion
Tools → From Raster → Raster to ASCII.
It is possible to import ASCII X,Y,Z single space data and convert the data into an ESRI ASCII
grid (using Track → New... → Convert XYZ to ASCII grid).

4.2. MODEL INPUT DATA
4.2.2 Friction parameters and drag layer
RAMMS::Rockfall employs a rigid body approach to model rockfall dynamics. By ray casting
the vertices of the rigid rock body onto the ground surface over time (see Fig. 4.4), the
local contact point between the rock and the ground can be found. The contact behavior is
described by set-valued contact force laws and an impact law applies to this contact point.
Figure 4.4: Contact detection between a rock and the DEM in RAMMS::Rockfall.
Friction information
Contact forces are modeled as hard unilateral constraints with Coulomb friction using non-
smooth contact dynamics approaches (see Acary and Brogliato 2008 [1], Glocker 2001 [2] and
Moreau 1988 [5]). To describe the bouncing, slipping and sticking behavior (Stoss-, Gleit- und
Haftverhalten) of a rock in contact with the terrain Coulomb-friction coefficient µ (µ ∈[0,∞))
and parameters of restitution (0≤ ≤1) are defined for different terrain materials. To
run a rockfall simulation in RAMMS you have to define the terrain material of the area of
interest. You can define up to four areas with different terrain materials and therefore differ-
ent friction values for one simulation, (see exercise ”How to create a shapefile with specific
terrain material” on page 43). For each simulation µ- and -values can be viewed as ASCII-files.
Surface information
Surface information on forests, swamps or lakes is not required for a successful simulation, but
recommended, because rock trajectories depend on this information. Surface information can
be provided as:

• Polygon shapefiles
If no such files are available, the user can draw a polygon shapefile in RAMMS and import it
as forest, swamp or lake information (see exercise ”How to create a shapefile to represent a
specific surface cover” on page 44).
To take into account the influence of different surfaces such as forests, swamps and lakes a
drag force I Fd , an additional linear viscous damping force which is acting only in sufficient
proximity to the ground, is introduced on every rock trajectory. This drag force is assumed to
be linear in the center of mass velocity of the rock I vS and acts in the opposite direction of
the latter. (See Fig. 4.5) The drag force varies depending on the current location of the center
of mass of the rock and is only enabled below a certain height I vS above a terrain (Leine et
al. 2013[4]).
Figure 4.5: External forces acting on the rock are the gravitational Force I Fg and frictional contact
forces I Fc . For a rock with its center of mass lying inside the drag force layer with height zheight
the drag force I Fd is enabled and acts in the opposite direction of the center of mass velocity I vS
of the rock. (Leine et al. 2013 [4])
4.2.3 Release information
The definition of release points and release lines have a very strong impact on the results of
RAMMS simulations. Therefore we recommend to use reference information such as photog-
raphy, GPS measurements or field maps to define release points or release lines. This should
be done by people with experience concerning the topographic situation of the investigation
area.
Users have to define the coordinates (x,y,z) of the potential rockfall starting point or draw
their own release line shapefiles, see section 4.5.1 on page 37. The release lines are saved as
polyline shapefiles and can be easily imported in GIS-Software (e.g. ArcGIS).

4.2. MODEL INPUT DATA
4.2.4 Rock geometry
In RAMMS::Rockfall rocks are modeled as three dimensional rigid bodies with three rotational
degrees of freedom to take into account how the geometry and the rotational energy influences
the trajectory. The rock geometry is needed to determine the mass and the inertia tensor of the
rock and to define its interaction with the terrain. Go to Extras → Rock builder or click
to find predefined real rock geometries, which you can adjust to any desired mass and volume
between 1 and 100 m3 and save the corresponding .pts-file (see Fig.4.6 below and Section
4.5.2 on page 40) or create an own rock geometry by providing a point cloud of the desired
shape in form of a .pts-file. This can be achieved by scanning real rocks in the field. According
to Latham et al. 2008 [3] the RAMMS rock library included in the rock builder provides
predefined rock shapes of four categories: equant, flat, long and intermediate (see Fig. 4.6).
Since RAMMS::Rockfall ray casts all the vertices of a rock surface onto the ground surface,
simulation time gets longer, the more complex the rock geometry was chosen, respectively the
more corners of a stone are definded. In RAMMS a rock is assumed to be perfectly rigid and
unbreakable.
Figure 4.6: RAMMS rock builder.

4.2.5 Calculation parameters
Calculation parameters such as output name, simulation grid resolution, end time, time step
etc. can be changed interactively in the RAMMS Run Simulation Widget.

4.3. CREATING A PROJECT WITH THE PROJECT WIZARD
4.3 Creating a project with the Project Wizard
A new project is created with the RAMMS Project Wizard, shown in the exercise below. The
Wizard consists of four steps:
Exercise 4.3.a: How to create a new project.
◦ Click or Track → New... → Project Wizard to open the RAMMS Project

Wizard.
◦ The following window pops up:
Figure 4.7: RAMMS Rockfall Project Wizard: Step 1 of 4.

Continuation of exercise 4.3.a: How to create a new project.
Step 1:
◦ Enter a project name (1).
◦ Add some project details (2).
◦ The project location (3) suggested is the current working directory. To change
the location click into the location field. A second window appears and you can
browse for a different folder (see figure below, VERY IMPORTANT: Do NOT use
BLANKS or special characters in the project location path!).
◦ Click Next (4).
1
2
3
Figure 4.8: Step 1 of the RAMMS Figure 4.9: Window to browse for a new
Project Wizard: Project information. project location.
Step 2:
◦ Locate your DEM-file in the
folder set in the RAMMS pref-
erences. Click into the corre-
sponding fields to browse for
the appropriate files.
◦ The use of forest-files is not
supported in this version.
◦ Click Next.
Figure 4.10: Step 2 of the RAMMS

Project Wizard: GIS information.

4.3. CREATING A PROJECT WITH THE PROJECT WIZARD
Continuation of exercise 4.3.a: How to create a new project.
Step 3:
◦ Enter the X- and Y-coordinates of the lower left and upper right corner of your
project area, using the Swiss Coordinate System CH1903 LV03 (or another cartesian
coordinate system), as it is shown below for the Vallée de la Sionne area.
Figure 4.11: Project coordinates: lower left and Figure 4.12: Step 3 of the
upper right corner of project area. RAMMS Project Wizard:
Project boundary coordinates.
Step 4:
◦ Check the project summary, especially if a
DEM-file was found.
◦ To make changes click Previous, to create
the project click Create Project.
◦ If several matching .tif-files exist, RAMMS
shows a list with all these files.
Figure 4.13: Step 4 of the RAMMS

Project Wizard: Project sum-
mary.
Project creation:
◦ The creation process can take a while. Different status bars will pop up and show
the progress of the project creation process.
End of exercise 4.3.a

The following files will be created in the project-folder
Figure 4.14: Created project files.
File / Folder Purpose

doc (folder) Folder containing input and ouput log files
logfiles (folder) Project creation and calculation log files
dhm.asc ASCII grid with altitude values
dhm.sav Height information used in RAMMS
_.xml Input file
_.shp Release lines and surface shapefiles
_.shx Release lines and surface shapefiles
_.dbf Release lines and surface shapefiles
_.xyz Topographic data used in RAMMS

4.4. WORKING WITH THE INTERFACE
4.4 Working with the interface
Once the project is created, there are several useful tools which can be helpful when working
with RAMMS. They are explained in the excercises below.
4.4.1 Moving, resizing, rotating, viewing
Exercise 4.4.a: Moving and resizing the model

a) Terrain model has a dimension of 100% or smaller:
◦ By clicking on the "arrow" , the model can be moved and resized.
Figure 4.15: "Active" project with lines and corners for resizing.
◦ To move the model without changing size or aspect ratio, move to the model and
check if the cursor turns to . Then click and hold the left mouse button and
drag the model to the desired position.
◦ To resize the model without changing the aspect ratio, use the mouse wheel to zoom
in our out. Alternatively, you can resize the model by changing the percentage value
in the horizontal toolbar .
b) Terrain model has a dimension > 100%:

◦ All steps explained above are still possible.
◦ In addition to this, the white hand right next to the rotation button becomes active
as well. After clicking on this so-called "view pan" button , it is also
possible to move the model.

Exercise 4.4.b: Rotating the model
◦ After activating the rotation button , the model can be rotated along
the rotation axis, by moving the cursor directly on one of the axis until the cursor
changes from to . Otherwise a freehand rotation in any direction is possible.
Figure 4.16: "Active" project with rotation axes.
End of exercise 4.4.b

Exercise 4.4.c: How to switch between 2D and 3D mode
◦ Click to switch from 3D to 2D view. This button then changes to and by

clicking again, you will return to 3D view.
Figure 4.17: 3D view of example model. Figure 4.18: 2D view of example model.
In 2D mode you have all possibilities that you know from 3D mode. It works for input
files as well as for simulations. For the following functions of RAMMS it is necessary to
switch from 3D to 2D view:
INPUT: OUTPUT:
◦ Draw New Release Lines ◦ Draw Line Profile
◦ Draw New Polygon Shapefile
End of exercise 4.4.c

4.4.2 Colorbar
As soon as a parameter is shown in the project, the colorbar appears on the right side of the
main window. It can be turned on and off by clicking on .
The colorbar can be moved anywhere in the sreen (and can get lost). Use Project→Get
Colorbar to find a lost colorbar.
Exercise 4.4.d: Editing the colorbar
Changing the minimum and maximum values of the colorbar as well as changing the
number of colors used is done in the panel Rockfall under Display.
◦ Simply type a new value into the respective

field and hit the return key on the keyboard.
The display will be refreshed.
◦ To view the underlying topography or image,
you can change the transparency.
◦ ATTENTION:
Values < x.xxx are not displayed!
The cut off depends on the min and max
values as well as on the number of colors.
Make sure that you have the range of values
you want to display! Figure 4.19: The Display tab.
◦ Open the editing window by either choosing

Edit→Colorbar Properties or clicking
in the vertical toolbar.
◦ To change the colorbar properties simply
click into the field you want to change, then
click OK.
Figure 4.20: The Colorbar

Properties window.
Under Edit→Colorbar White Color the text-color of the colorbar can be changed to
white. This can be usefull when changing the background color of your project to black or
white Track→Preferences→Rockfall Tab→Background Color (see Rockfall tab p.16).
End of exercise 4.4.d

4.4.3 Changing maps and remote sensing imagery
It is possible to change the map or imagery of a project anytime. Take into account, that the
corresponding .tfw-file (world-file) has to be in the same folder as the actual map (.tif). If this
is not the case, the map will not be found!
To check which map and imagery are currently loaded in the project, open the project input
(or output) log (Project→Input Log File). Next to Map and Ortho Photo you will find the
location and name of the loaded map and imagery, respectively.
Exercise 4.4.e: How to add or change maps.

a) Add or change a map:
◦ Go to Extras → Add/Change Map or click .
If more than one map is found, the following window pops up, listing the maps
found:
Figure 4.21: Window to choose

map image.
Information on the image dimensions (x-Dim and y-Dim, pixel) and size (in MB)
are provided and might be a selection criterion.
◦ Select the map you wish to add and click Load selected map.
b) Map not found:
◦ If the question "No map found, continue search?" appears, you either don’t have
an appropriate map, the map-folder directory is set wrong or the map is saved in a
different folder. In the latter case click Yes and choose the correct folder.
◦ Click No to cancel search or click Yes to continue search.
◦ A window pops up to browse for the correct map location and file.
End of exercise 4.4.e
Exercise 4.4.f: How to add or change remote sensing imagery.
◦ Go to Extras→Add/Change Image or click .

I See exercise "How to add and change maps" on page 33 above.
End of exercise 4.4.f

4.4.4 How to save input files and program settings
Once a project is created, it is saved under the name and location you entered during step 1
of the RAMMS::Rockfall Project Wizard (see figure 4.8 on page 26). The created input file
has the ending .xml.
The second situation in which the input file is saved automatically, is when a calculation is
started. The saved input file has the same name as the created output file.
Exercise 4.4.g: How to save input files and program settings manually.
a) Input file:
◦ In case you want to save the input file manually before running a calculation, go
on Track → Save. This is helpful, when for example a release line was loaded but
you wish to close the project before doing the calculation.
◦ If you wish to save a copy of your file under a new name, go on Track → Save
Copy As or click .
◦ A window pops up to choose an old file which should be overwritten or to type in
a new name, then click Save.
◦ Continue working on the original file, not the just saved one!
b) Program settings:
◦ If you have moved and/or rotated your project for a better view, you can save this
position by going on Extras → Save Active Position.
◦ You can now get back to this position anytime by choosing Extras → Reload
Position.
End of Example 4.4.g

4.4.5 How to open input and output files
Exercise 4.4.h: How to open an input file.
◦ Close any active project file.

◦ Go to Track → Open... → Input File or click .
◦ A window opens to browse for a rockfall input file (.xml).
◦ Click Open after file name was selected.
◦ The project will be opened.
End of Example 4.4.h
Exercise 4.4.i: How to open an output file/avalanche simulation.
◦ Close any active project file.

◦ Go to Track → Open... → Rockfall Simulation or click .
◦ A window opens to browse for an rockfall simulation file (.rts)
◦ Click OK.
◦ The simulation will be opened.
End of Example 4.4.i
Exercise 4.4.j: How to load an optional shapefile.
◦ To load a shapefile go to GIS → Import Shapefile or click .

◦ A window opens to browse for a shapefile (.shp).
◦ Click Open after file was selected.
End of Example 4.4.j

4.4.6 About RAMMS
Some information about the RAMMS installation on your computer is found here:
Help→About RAMMS....
Figure 4.22: About RAMMS...

4.5. RUNNING A SIMULATION
4.5 Running a simulation
To run a simulation or a specific scenario within a newly created project (creating a project
see section 4.3) it is necessary to define a rock with a specific geometry, a release point or
release lines and the overall terrain material-type. (The definition of additional shapefiles with
other terrain materials or surface covers is optional.) The exercises below show you how to
create rock geometries, release lines and polygon shapefiles to define different terrain materials
and surface covers. While rock geometry and the rockfall starting zone influence the run out
trajectories directly, the definition of terrain material and surface cover determine the friction
parameters used for a simulation. Details on the friction model used in RAMMS::Rockfall are
given in section 4.2.2 on p.21.
4.5.1 Release points and release lines
There are different possibilities to include a rockfall starting zone into the project. Switch
to 2D mode and click to find the coordinates (xyz) of any rockfall release point. The
following table gives an overview of the possibilities RAMMS offers to include a release line to
the project. For further explanations see the exercises below.
If there is no release line available for your project, or

you wish to create a new one, switch to 2D mode got to
Create a new release line
Input → Release Line... → Draw New Release Line or
click .
Load an existing release line Load an existing release line with Input → Release Line...
→ Load Existing Release Line.
The definition of a rockfall starting zone has a very strong impact on the results of RAMMS
simulations. Therefore we recommend to use reference information such as photography, GPS
measurements or field maps to define release points and release lines. This should be done
by people with experience concerning the topographic and meteorological situation of the
investigation area. Release lines can only be drawn in 2D mode.

Exercise 4.5.a: How to define a relase point.
◦ Switch to 2D mode by clicking .

◦ Activate the project by clicking on it once.
◦ Click .
◦ Click into the project where you want define your rockfall release point (1).
2
Figure 4.23: Define a release point and find its coordinates.
◦ The right status bar then displays the position of the release point within the terrain
(2).
◦ To save the coordinates of the release point got to Extras → Point → Save Point
Location and enter a file name.
Exercise 4.5.b: How to load an existing release point.

◦ Click . The mouse cursor changes to an arrow.
◦ Click on the project with the middle mouse button.
→ The release point appears in the project.

Exercise 4.5.c: How to create a new release line.

◦ Click .
◦ Click into the project where you want to start drawing the outline of the release
line.
◦ Continue drawing the release line by moving the cursor and clicking the left mouse
button.
◦ To end the release line, click the right mouse button.
Figure 4.24: Project with emerging release lines.
Before the release line is created, you have to answer a few questions:
◦ Add more polylines?

You can either answer with Yes and create a second release line as explained above
or answer with No and continue with the next step.
◦ Choose a new release line file name:
Enter a new name for the release line. The ending *.shp is added automatically.
The release line will now be created and opened directly.
Exercise 4.5.d: How to load an existing release line.
◦ Choose Input → Release Line... → Load Existing Release Line.

◦ Select release file (.shp) and click open.
→ The release line appears in the project.
End of exercise 4.5.d

4.5.2 Rock geometry
There are different possibilities to define a rock for a RAMMS::Rockfall simulation. You may
run a simulation with a cubus-shaped three dimensional body (see Exercise 4.5.5 "How to run a
Rockfall simulation" on page 45ff.) or create a rock geometry by providing a point cloud of the
desired rock shape in form of a .pts-file. You also have the possibility to use the Rock Builder
to work with a predefined real rock geometry of the categories 1:Equant, 2:Flat, 3:Long and
4:Intermediate and adjust it’s volume and mass according to your needs. (See Excercise 4.5.2
"How to create a rock with the Rock Builder." below.)
Exercise 4.5.e: How to create a rock with the Rock Builder.
◦ Click to open the Rock Builder (see Fig. 4.25).
3
1
4
Figure 4.25: Rock Builder.

Continuation of exercise 4.5.e: How to create a rock with the Rock Builder.
◦ Select a predefined rock shape from the rock library (1) or select a .pts-file of a
rock shape from an other source (2).
◦ With the left mouse button you can move the picture of the rock directly and look
at it from any direction (3).
◦ The rock has given initial rock characteristics (4).

When changing the mass density the Rock Builder automatically calculates the
corresponding mass of the rock.
After changing the mass of the rock, click to adjust the volume and the dimen-
sions (X/Y/Z) of the rock.
Enter a value of the new rock volume and click to adjust the rock mass as well
as the rock dimensions (X/Y/Z).
◦ Enter a file name and click to save the new .pts-file (5).
◦ Click Ok if you want to keep the changes, click Cancel otherwise.
End of exercise 4.5.e

Once a rockfall simulation has been finished and opened in RAMMS, you can find additional
information on the rock for every trajectory in the Rockfall panel, tab Rock, see Fig. 4.26
below.
Figure 4.26: Rock information.

4.5.3 Terrain material

The Coulomb-friction parameter µ and the restitution parameter depend on the terrain ma-
terial. To take this into account in RAMMS::Rockfall you have the possibility to define up to
four different terrain materials for your area of interest. The following exercise shows you how
to create shapefiles with different terrain materials.
Exercise 4.5.f: How to create a shapefile with specific terrain material.

◦ Activate project by clicking on the map once.
◦ Click .
◦ Click into the project where you want to start drawing the outline of the shapefile.
◦ Continue drawing the shapefile by moving the cursor and clicking the left mouse
button.
◦ To end the polygon shapefile, click with the right mouse button. The polygon
will be closed automatically.
Figure 4.27: Project with emerging polygon shapefile.
Before the polygon shapefile is created, you have to answer a few questions:
◦ Add more polygons?

You can either answer with Yes and create a second polygon as explained above or
answer with No and continue with the next step.
◦ Choose a new polygon file name:
Enter a new name, according to the terrain material represented by the polygon(s)
(e.g. Bedrock). The ending *.shp is added automatically.
The polygon shapefile will now be created and opened directly.
◦ Create polygon shapefiles as described above for all the different and important
terrain materials inside the area of interest.
End of exercise 4.5.f

4.5.4 Surface cover
To take into account the influence of different surface covers on rock trajectories you can
create different polygon shapefiles which represent a specific surface cover like forests, swamps
or lakes. (See exercise 4.5.4 below.) Inside these shapefiles RAMMS::Rockfalls applies a drag
layer, a linear viscous damping force, which is acting only in sufficient proximity to the ground.
However, surface information on forests, swamps or lakes is not required for a successful sim-
ulation.
Exercise 4.5.g: How to create a shapefile to represent a specific surface

cover.

◦ Activate project by clicking on the map once.
◦ Click .
◦ Trace the forest, lake or swamp outline by creating as many area polygons as
necessary (proceed as in exercise "How to create a shapefile with specific terrain
material." on page 43) and name your new shapefile according to the surface cover
it represents (e.g. Forest, Swamp or Lake). A new shapefile is saved.
Figure 4.28: Project with emerging polygon shapefiles which represent forest areas.
◦ Create polygon shapefiles as described above for all the areas with different and
important surface covers inside the area of interest.
End of exercise 4.5.g

4.5.5 Running a simulation
To run a simulation you have to open a created project (section 4.3). If you wish to take into
account different terrain materials and surface covers the corresponding shapefiles have to be
created (section 4.5.3 and 4.5.4) and if you wish to start your simulation from a release line
instead of a release point, a release line has to exist as well (section 4.5.1). Below you find an
example for running a rockfall simulation.
Exercise 4.5.h: How to run a rockfall simulation.
◦ If you want to start a rockfall simulation from a release point, switch to 2D mode,
click and define the rockfall starting point by clicking on the exact position on
your project or click the middle mouse button to load an existing point file. (Skip
this step, if you want to use a release line instead.)
◦ To run a simulation choose Run → Run Rockfall Simulation or click .
◦ The RAMMS|Run Simulation window opens. Before clicking Run Simulation,
you should check the input parameters.
General
(1) Choose the time step (s) interval. It
defines the steps of the RAMMS calcula- 1
2
tion.
(2) Choose the dump step (s) interval. It
3
defines the steps shown in the RAMMS 4
simulation.
(3) Stop criterion: Choose the min kinetic
energy (kJ) at which your simulation 5
should stop (3). Additionally you may

6
choose an end time (s) (4) to stop your
simulation after a given time. The simu- 7
lation stops at the first stop criterion to

Figure 4.29: General information.
reach.
(5) The Digital Elevation Model Information shows you which DEM is used for the
simulation.
(6) Select an Output filename.
(7) Check box Stop at first contact only if you wish to stop your simulation as soon
as the rock reaches the terrain.

Continuation of exercise 4.5.h: How to run a rockfall simulation.
Friction
Terrain material:
1
(1) Choose the overall terrain material of

your simulation area.
2
(2) Click to choose a terrain material
shapefile (see section 4.5.3) and choose
the corresponding terrain material (e.g.
bedrock). You have the possibility to
choose up to three different terrain ma-
terial shapefiles.
Figure 4.30: Friction.
Drag Layer
Surface cover:
(1) Click to choose a forest/moor

shapefile which represents an area with a 1
specific surface cover (see section 4.5.4)
and choose the corresponding surface
cover (e.g. light forest). You have the
possibility to choose up to three shape-
files with different surface covers.
Figure 4.31: Forest/Moor.

Release
Point release
(1) Choose release type: For a calcula-
tion with a point release, click Release
Point.
(2) Rock position: The coordinates you de- 1
fined before, by clicking are shown

automatically. If not, or if you want to
change them, simply type in the correct 2
values manually.
3
(3) Type in a value for the Rock Z-offset
(m) to define the release height of a rock
4
above the terrain.
(4) If you want to simulate the trajectories
for different rocks, just select the pts
Figure 4.32: Point release.
folder where the .pts-files of the rocks
are saved. RAMMS will then simulate a
trajectory for every single rock inside the
chosen folder.
Line release
(1) Choose release type: For a calculation 1
with a line release, click Release line.

2
(2) Select a release polyline file you cre- 3
ated before (see section 4.5.1). RAMMS

then defines a release point all 5 m along 4
the whole release line.
Figure 4.33: Line release.

Rock
If you didn’t choose a pts-folder or if you chose a release line you have to choose a
rock or a cuboid in the Rock tab.
Rock
1
(1) Choose rock type: Check Rock to run
a RAMMS simulation with a real rock 2
shape.
(2) Select the .pts-file of the rock you wish
to simulate. A picture of the chosen rock
is then shown.
(3) If you change the rock density kg/m3 3
RAMMS automatically adjusts the rock
volume (m3 ) and mass (kg).
(4) You have the possibility to define the Ro- 4
tation Angles (degrees), the Initial ve-
locity (m/s) and the Initial Rotational
Velocity (rad/s) of the rock.
Figure 4.34: Rock tab - rock.
2
Cuboid
(1) Choose rock type: Check Cuboid to
run a RAMMS simulation with a cuboid.
(2) Define the volume of the cuboid by defin- 3
ing the length of the three axes X, Y and
Z (m).
4
Figure 4.35: Rock tab - cuboid.

◦ Click Run Simulation.

◦ The calculation process may take a while. If you simulate a single rock trajectory
different status bars will pop up and show the progress of the calculation process.
If you simulate multiple rock trajectories (running a simulation of different rocks
or with a release line) the following window appears, showing the status of the
calculation. (Fig. 4.36)
(1) general information of the simulation, (2) starting the calculation.
◦ To cancel a running calculation just close the status window of calculation.
(Fig. 4.36)
Figure 4.36: Status window of calculation.

◦ Once it’s finished, you can load and open the simulation. Close the current window
by clicking and click to browse for simulation(s). For every rock trajectory
RAMMS generated a seperate .rts-file. Choose all the files you want to be displayed
in the same window and click open.
Figure 4.37: Main window in output mode.
End of exercise 4.5.h

4.5.6 Project information
As soon as a project is created you can open the Input Log File which provides information
on your project settings under Project→Input Log File. The following window opens:
This window provides information about

all your project’s input specifications, like
number of nodes, the used DEM and
its resolution, the extent of the project
area as well as the loaded map and ortho
images.
Figure 4.38: RAMMS Project Input Log File.
The other possibility to view the project

coordinates is clicking the Region tab
in your Rockfall panel. The Region
tab lists X- and Y-coordinates of the
lower left (minimal values) and upper
right (maximal values) corner (this
are the coordinates you entered when
creating the project) as well as the global
minimum and maximum of altitude (Z
value). Additionally, the total region area
is shown (in km2 ).
Figure 4.39: Region extent (X-, Y- and Z-
Coordinates, total area).

Once a scenario within a specific project is calculated it is possible to open the Output Log
File (in output mode) including calculation specifications. For every single rock trajectory you
can open the project’s output log in 2D mode by first clicking on a selected trajectory and
then go to Trajectory→View Trajectory Standard Output Log File. A window as shown in Fig.
4.40 opens. This window provides information about your project and is the first thing to look
at after running a simulation to check your simulation results.
(1) Information on the

RAMMS::Rockfall ver-
sion.
(2) Information on the pro-

cess of calculation.
(3) Information on the stop- 2

ping of the simulation.
Be sure the simulation
stopped due to the cri-
terion you defined before
(e.g. minimal kinetic en-
ergy reached, see exercise
”How to run a rockfall
simulation” on page 45).
Figure 4.40: Output Log File.

The General tab in your Rockfall panel

also provides information on some of
the input parameters used in a simulation.
Figure 4.41: The Genral tab of the Rockfall

panel provides information on some input pa-
rameters of a simulation.

4.6 Visualization and analysis of the results
This section gives an overview on what is possible in RAMMS to view and analyze the sim-
ulation results. The interpretation of the results has to be done by an expert who is familiar
with the local as well as with the topographic and meteorological situation of the investigation
area.
RAMMS is a model and each model is a simplification of reality, therefore the simulation
results should not be analyzed without questioning them. We strongly recommend all users to
perform sensitivity studies.
4.6.1 Visualize different parameters
The drop down menu Results offers the following functions:
• Jump Height
• Rock Velocity
• Rotational Rock Velocity → X, Y, Z, Resultant
• Total Rock Energy (kin+pot)

• Kinetic Rock Energy
• Kinetic Rock Energy (translational)
• Kinetic Rock Energy (rotational)
• Contact Force negative g

• Contact Force perpendicular
• Slippage
• Friction Value
• Statistics → Nr of Rocks
These results are all visualized by a colorplot in the topography. (See Fig.4.37 and exercise
"Displaying calculation values" on page 56.)

4.6. VISUALIZATION AND ANALYSIS OF THE RESULTS
To see the exact values of the simulation results, check the Trajectory Log File which shows
the results for every dump step of a single rock trajectory (see Fig. 4.42). Click on a rock
trajectory and got to Trajectory → View Trajectory Data Log File to open the Trajectory Log
File.
Figure 4.42: Trajectory Log File.
4.6.2 Trajectory XY plot and Line profile
In the horizontal toolbar you find two further functions:
• Rock Trajextory XY Plot

• Time Plot
Rock Trajectory XY Plot
Click on a rock trajectory. Under Trajectory or in the horizontal toolbar under the button
you then find the function View Trajectory XY Plot. A XY plot of a trajectory is a good
alternative to the color plot, if the jump height, velocity or energy of a rock should be known
at a specific location. The graph shows the currently active parameter. If you want to keep
the Trajectory XY Plot, you have to save it, see exercise ”How to draw a Trajectory XY Plot”
on page 57.

Line profile
Got to Extras → Profile... → Draw Line Profile or click to draw a line profile. The
line profile function provides a graph of the currently active parameter at a specific location.
This is helpful when it is of interest to know the values and maximum values at a specific
location. Every line profile is saved in the file profile.txt in the project directory. If you want
to keep this line profile, you have to save it, see exercise "How to draw a line profile" on page 58.
Exercise 4.6.a: Displaying calculation values.
The values of Jump Height, Rock Velocity and Kinetic Rock Energy give a good
overview of the dimension of the rockfall event. You find them under Results
Figure 4.43: Results: Values of jump height (left), velocity (middle) and kinetic rock energy (right).

Exercise 4.6.b: How to draw a Trajectory XY Plot

◦ Activate the project by clicking on it once, then click on the rock trajectory you
want to plot.
◦ Go to Results → View Trajectory XY Plot or click .
◦ A window opens, displaying the XY Trajectory Plot.
Figure 4.44: Trajectory XY Plot.
- filled grey area terrain (scale on the left side).

- green line terrain surface (scale on the left side), respectively
active parameter (scale on the right side).
- black line rock trajectory (multiplied by 50), added to the terrain
surface (altitude in m a.s.l, scale on the left side).
- blue dot actual rock position.
(According to the dump step shown in your simulation).
- red dots points of contact.
- bottom scale projected profile distance (in m).
◦
If you change the active parameter, min or max values to be displayed or the dump
step, the plot is directly updated.

Exercise 4.6.c: How to draw a line profile.
a) Draw a new line profile:

◦ Activate the project by clicking on it once, then click or choose
Extras→Profile...→Draw New Line Profile.
◦ Define the line profile in the same way you specify a new release line (see exercise
4.5.1 "How to create a new release line" on page 37). Finish the line profile with
a right-click on the mouse button.
◦ A window opens, displaying the line profile.
Figure 4.45: Line profile plot.
- filled grey area active parameter (scale on left side).

- red line active parameter (multiplied by 50) added to
the track profile (altitude, scale on the right side).
- black line track profile (altitude, scale on the right side).
- bottom scale projected profile distance (in m).
◦ If you change the active parameter, min or max values or the dump-step in RAMMS,
the plot is directly updated. You can also start the simulation and then watch the
time variations in your line profile plot.

Continuation of exercise 4.6.c: How to draw a line profile.
◦ To save the coordinates of the points belonging to the line profile, go on

Extras→Profile...→Save Line Profile Points and enter a file name.
◦ To save the line profile parameters (distance in m and the active parameter, e.g.
the jump height in m) at the current dump step, go on Extras→Profile...→Export
Line Profile Plot Data and enter a file name.
Continuation of exercise 4.6.c: How to draw a line profile.
b) Load an existing line profile:

◦ Activate the project by clicking on it once and click or choose
Extras→Profile...→Draw New Line Profile.
◦ Click the middle mouse button once.
◦ A window pops up and you can browse for the line profile you wish to open.
4.6.3 Creating an image or a GIF animation
Image
It is possible to export your results as an image in different formats (e.g. .png, .jpg, .gif,
.tif etc.). Click or choose Track → Export... → Image File and define a new file name
with the corresponding extension. An image of the visible part in the viewer will then be saved.
GIF animation
Creating a GIF animation is only possible in output mode.
Click or choose Track → Export... → GIF Animation and wait until the simulation stopped
and a window opened. Enter a file name and location. The GIF animation folder as well as
the corresponding gif animation file are saved in the simulation folder. In the Rockfall tab in
the Preferences you can define the interval for the GIF animation (GIF animation interval (s)).


5 Program Overview
RAMMS is a windows-based program that relies on drop-down menus and dialog boxes to set
the model parameters, run calculations and view results. Toolbar buttons are also available
and provide short-cuts of the menu paths; moving the cursor over a button results in a short
explanation, appearing in a text box below the cursor (’tooltip’). For functions not available
in the current context, the menus and buttons are deactivated and cannot be used.
5.1 The Graphical User Interface (GUI)
The graphical user interface (GUI), see figure 5.1 below, consists of menu bar, horizontal and
vertical toolbar, main window, time step slider, right and left status bar, colorbar and panel.
They will be explained in the following sections.
Figure 5.1: Graphical user interface (GUI).
61
CHAPTER 5. PROGRAM OVERVIEW
5.1.1 The menu bar
Track
Similar to the Microsoft Windows File menu, Track is used to open, close, save, print, backup
and export files.
New... I Project Wizard Start a new project, guided by the Wizard (Ctrl+w).
I Convert XYZ → ASCII grid Convert laser scanning data into a ESRI ASCII grid.
Open... I Input File Open an existing input file (.xml) (Ctrl+o).
I Rockfall Simulation Open existing rockfall simulation (select the folder

containing the simulation files) (Ctrl+a).
Close Close active file (input or output).

Save Save active file (Ctrl+s).
Save Copy As Save a copy of the active file (e.g. test.xml) under
a new name (e.g. simulation1.xml, works only in in-
put mode). But, RAMMS stays with the active file
(test.xml)!
Export... I Export Image File Create an image of the active window in a chosen
format. You can choose the desired image format
using the file extension (e.g. .png, .jpg, .gif, .tif etc.).
I Export GIF Animation Create a GIF animation of the simulation (only in out-
put mode). Change GIF animation interval(s) in the
preferences.
Backup... I Backup RAMMS Version Make a backup of the current RAMMS version.
I Backup Active Project Backup your active project. The user will be asked if
he wants to include output files in the backup. This
function is useful when having problems with a simu-
lation. Make a backup and send the zip-file together
with some explanations to ramms@slf.ch. Make sure
that all your input data (release line shapefiles, terrain
material shapefiles, etc...) is in the project folder.
I Backup User-Defined Backup any folder or files you want.
Files/Folders
Preferences Change RAMMS preferences (Ctrl+p).
Log Files... I RAMMS Log File (current) Show active RAMMS log file.
I RAMMS Log File If RAMMS crashed, open this log file and copy/paste
(last session) the content into an email to ramms@slf.ch.
Exit Exit RAMMS (Ctrl+q).

5.1. THE GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE (GUI)
Edit
This menu is used to edit colorbar and dataspace properties. It is active only in input mode.
Colorbar Properties Edit the colorbar properties.
Dataspace Properties Edit your dataspace properties.

Show Dataspace Axes Shows or hides dataspace axes of the project region. The axes can
be only visible if the background color is set to white.
Colorbar White Color Defines the text-color of the colorbar (black or white).
Input
Menu used to specify the global parameters, the calculation domain, release area, friction
parameters and forest cover. This menu is active only in input mode.
Polygon Shapefile... I Draw New This activates the button to draw a new polygon
Polygon Shapefile shapefile. The mouse cursor changes to an arrow.
I Load Existing Load an existing polygon shapefile drawn and saved
Polygon Shapefile before.
Release Line... I Draw New This activates the button to draw a new polyline.
Release Line The mouse cursor changes to an arrow.
I Load Existing Load an existing release line.
Release Line
View Input File Displays the input file.

Show
This menu enables and disables the different visualizations. A little arrow indicates if the
visualization is enabled or disabled.
Show Lights Show/hide light effects.
Show Grid Show/hide computational grid.
Show Map Show map.
Show Orthoimage Show orthophoto/image.

Show Release Line INPUT | Show/hide release line.
Show Isotropic View Switch between realistic (isotropic) and anisotropic view.
Show Colorbar Show/hide colorbar.

Show Bottom Color Show/hide 0-color.
Run
This menu is active only in input mode.
Run Rockfall Simulation Opens the module parameter window to change parameters
and to start the calculation of a rockfall simulation.

Results
This menu contains the results functions and is only active in output mode.
Jump Height Shows jump height of the rocks for every time
step.
Rock Velocity Shows rock velocity of the rocks for every time
step.
Rotational Rock Velocity IX Displays the rock rotational velocity in direction
X for every time step.
IY Displays the rock rotational velocity in direction
Y for every time step.
IZ Displays the rock rotational velocity in direction
Y for every time step.
I Resultant Displays the resultant rock rotational velocity for
every time step.
Total Rock Energy (kin+pot) Shows the total rock energy for every time step.
Kinetic Rock Energy Shows the kinetic rock energy for every time
step.
Kinetic Rock Energy (trans- Shows the translational kinetic rock energy for
lational) every time step.
Kinetic Rock Energy (rota- Shows the rotational kinetic rock energy for ev-
tional) ery time step.
Contact Force negative g
Shows the contact force for every time step.
Contact Force perpendicular
Shows the perpendicular contact force for every
time step.
Slippage
Displays the Slippage for every time step.
Friction Value
Displays the friction value for every time step.
Statistics I Nr of Rocks
Displays the number of rocks entering a certain
area.

Trajectory
This menu contains information on the simulated rock trajectories and is only active in output
mode.
View Trajectory XY Plot Shows a XY plot of a rock trajectory.

View Trajectory Data Log File Opens the data log file of a rock trajectory.
View Trajectory Standard Output Log Opens the standard output log file of a rock trajectory.
File
View Input File (.xml) Opens an input file
GIS
This menu contains GIS functions.
Import Shapefile Import an ESRI GIS polyline or polygon shapefile.

Export Result As Shapefile Export the active results to an ESRI GIS shapefile for later
use in a GIS program.
Export Result As ASCII grid Export the active results to an ESRI ASCII grid for later
use in a GIS program.
Show Slope Angle (◦ ) Display the slope angles.
Show Curvature (1/m) Display the curvatures.
Show Contour Plot Display a contour plot.

Resample Slope/Curvature Normally, slope and curvatures are calculated for a grid
resolution of 10m. You can change this resolution by using
this function.

Extras
Add/Change!Add/Change or Re- Add or change the topographic map of your project. The
move Map maps have to be located in your distribution’s ’Map’ folder,
see section 3.6 for details. If not, you can browse for the
maps.
Add/Change or Remove Image Add, change or remove the imagery used for visualization of
your project. The images have to be located in your distribu-
tion’s ’Image’ folder, see section 3.6 for details. If not, you
can browse for the images.
Point... Used to select points in output mode, save point locations

and export Time Plot Data.
Profile... Used to draw a profile in output mode, save profile points and
export Profile Plot Data.
Save Active Position Save your current state of view, as well as the enabled and
disabled visualizations.
Reload Position Reload your saved position.
Google Earth... This function exports release lines and your results to Google
Earth. See Map Options for map settings for areas outside of
Switzerland.
Rock Builder Opens the rock builder in a window.

Create All Log Files
Opens all log files in a window.
Project
This menu contains the project input and output log files.
Open Project Folder (Windows Ex- Opens project Folder in Windows Explorer from within
plorer) RAMMS.
Get Colorbar Brings a ’lost’ colorbar back on screen.

Help
RAMMS User Opens the RAMMS User Manual.

Manual (pdf)
License Agreement Opens the RAMMS License Agreement.
RAMMS Forum Opens the RAMMS Forum at
http://ramms.slf.ch.
RAMMS web RAMMS Homepage at
http://ramms.slf.ch.
Updates Download RAMMS updates manually or di-
rectly from the web.
Register New Register a new RAMMS module.
RAMMS Module
Advanced... I Color Tables I View Available Color Tables
Choose a different type of color scheme for
colorbar.
I Additional Preferences I Edit
Only for experts. Please contact the
RAMMS Administrator if you have questions.
I Reset General Prefer- Resets your preferences to the general pref-
ences erences.
RAMMS Release Information about the RAMMS release and

Notes changes.
About RAMMS About dialog window.

5.1.2 Horizontal toolbar
Project Wizard: open Rockfall Wizard for creating a new rockfall

project (Ctrl+w).
Open input file (Ctrl+o).
Open simulation (Ctrl+a).
INPUT | Save copy as: save the active file under a new name.
INPUT and OUTPUT | Close: close the active file.
Print: displays the Windows print manager.
Undo, Redo.
Arrow (move and resize), Rotate, Move.
INPUT, 2D | Set Release Point: Choose this function and move
the arrow over the topography → x-, y- and z-Coordinates of the
mouse position are shown in the lower right status bar (see page
72). Click with the left mouse button to set a release point.
INPUT, 2D | Draw new release lines: specify new line-points by
clicking the left mouse button, for the last line-point click the right
mouse button to finish. You are asked if you want to draw more
release areas. At last, you have to specify a new file name for the
release line.
INPUT, 2D | Draw new polygon shapefile: specify a new polygon
by clicking the left mouse button, for the last polygon-point click
the right mouse button to finish. A dialog box will then ask you if
you want to draw more polygon shapefiles. Enter a new polygon
file name at last, according to the terrain material or surface cover
the polygon represents (e.g. Bedrock).

OUTPUT, 2D | Line Profile: Select the topography, until the Line-

Profile-Button is active. Click the button and then move the cursor
to the start point of your profile. Click the left mouse button and
move the cursor to the next position of your profile. At the end
position of your profile click the right mouse button. A new win-
dow pops up called ’RAMMS::Rockfall Line Profile Plot - Active
Parameter’. This line profile plot is linked to your simulation. If
you change the parameter or if you change the max-value in the
Display tab in the Rockfall panel, the changes are adapted in the
line profile plot!
Zoom tools.
Annotation tools: text, line, rectangle, oval, polygon, freehand.
They can be activated and deactivated in the additional prefer-
ences. Help → Advanced... → Additional Preferences... → Edit
→ Annotations
Interpretation of the input DEM: Slope Angle, Curvature and Con-
tour Plots. Remove visualization by clicking the button again.
INPUT | Open the Rock Builder.
OUTPUT, 2D | View a trajectory XY plot for the active rock tra-
jectory and the active parameter.
OUTPUT | export the results to ASCII grid.
Open project folder in Windows Explorer.
Add/change maps/orthophotos.

5.1.3 Vertical toolbar
Add shapefile (.shp).

OUTPUT | Switch to input file of an already open simulation.
Show/hide lights.
Show/hide mesh.
INPUT | Show/hide release lines (or other active parameter).
OUTPUT | Show/hide simulation.
Show/hide colorbar.
Show map.
Show image.
INPUT | Run Simulation.
OUTPUT | Animate Simulation / Continue Simulation.
Stop/Pause Simulation ( ).
OUTPUT | End Simulation: skip to last dump step of simulation.
Create a screenshot of the main window.
OUTPUT | Create GIF animation.
Edit colorbar properties.
Edit dataspace properties.
Change RAMMS preferences (e.g. working directory).
Change view to 2D / Change view to 3D ( ).
Refresh visualization.

5.1.4 Main window
All input and output related visualizations are displayed in the main window.
5.1.5 Time step slider (only in output mode)
The time step slider can be moved manually to change the active time step.
Figure 5.2: The active time step (139) is shown in the time step slider.
5.1.6 Left status bar
The left status bar is used to display status information for operations or informational mes-
sages pertaining to the currently selected surface or manipulators.
Figure 5.3: Status information shown in the left status bar.
5.1.7 Right status bar
The right status bar is used to display the position of the cursor within the surface and
additional simulation results at the position of the cursor.
Figure 5.4: Position information and triangle simulation results in the right status bar.

5.1.8 Colorbar
In general, the colorbar appears at the right

edge of the main window (see Fig. 5.1)
and can be moved and resized (see exercise
"Editing the colorbar" on page 32). Figure 5.5: Colorbar.

5.1.9 Panel
An rockfall panel is displayed on the right side of the RAMMS GUI (see Fig. 5.6), and consists
of four tabs (General, Display, Rock and Region). This panel changes interactively, depending
on what parameter is displayed in the main window. The current parameter (A-1) and all
visualizations (A-2) are additional information/functions on the rockfall panel.
1A B
Figure 5.6: Rockfall panel.

General tab
The General tab (A) shows some important simulation parameters, such as: nr. of nodes, nr.
of cells, end time (s), dump step (s), grid resolution (m) and rock magnification (x).
Display tab
The Display tab (B) shows parameters that are important for the display (colors, transparency)
of results and polygon shapefiles. The min and max values as well as the number of colors
influence directly the colorbar and the visualization. The transparency of the simulation results
can be changed on the Rockfall Display panel. 0% means no transparency, 100% means total
transparency, see figure below (fig. 5.7). The colorbar is divided into n (nr. of colors) differ-
ent colors, where the lowest color is normally not displayed. The bottom line informs the user
of the range of values that are not displayed in the current visualization (only in output mode).
Figure 5.7: No transparency (left) and 40% transparency (right) of simulation result.
Rock tab
The Rock tab (C) gives the user information about the rock used in the simulation, such as
dimensions X/Y/Z (m), density (kg/m3 ), volume (m3 ) and mass (kg). A picture of the rock
is shown and can be moved manually.
Region tab
The Region tab (D) gives information about min and max X-, Y-coordinates and the altitude
limits as well as an information about the region area in km2 .

5.2 File management
5.2.1 Software RAMMS
After the installation of RAMMS, the installation directory contains the following folders:
<installation_directory>
bin This folder contains all RAMMS executable-files.

bmp Bitmap-files, used for toolbar buttons.
defaults This folder contains some default files.
IDL82 This folder contains the IDL Virtual Machine distribution.
language This folder contains language files.
license This folder contains your license files.
Manual This folder contains the manuals and publications.
Temp This folder contains some temporary files.
Additionally, the installation directory contains also the following files:
<installation_directory>
ramms.exe Start RAMMS with this exe-file.

ramms.ico The RAMMS icon.
ramms.ini The ini-file belongs to the ramms.exe-file.
ramms.sav The main compiled program file.
ramms_init.sav Additional compiled program file.
uninstall.exe Uninstall RAMMS with this exe-file.
uninstall.ini The ini-file belongs to the uninstall.exe-file.

5.2. FILE MANAGEMENT
5.2.2 Organizing your data
Recommendation to organize your RAMMS-data (this is only a recommendation, but it proved

to be a good way):
Create a folder RAMMS (not in your installation directory, use another drive for your projects
and data) e.g. D:\RAMMS and in there the following folders:
• PROJECTS
• DEM
• MAPS
• ORTHOPHOTO
It is important, that the DEM files, as well as your georeferenced maps and imagery, are located
in the appropriate folders. These folders are the ones selected in the RAMMS preferences (how
to set the correct folders see section 3.6).
IMPORTANT: There should be no blanks or special characters in all the above directo-
ries. For example, do not specify a working directory like C:\Documents and Settings\Eigene
Dateien\Data etc...this will not work for RAMMS.


6 References and further reading
6.1 References
Maps and aerial images
• All topographic base maps and aerial images are reproduced 2010
c swisstopo(BA091601).
Literature
[1] Acary, V. and Brogliato, B., 2008: Numerical Methods for nonsmooth Dynamical Systems;
Applications in Mechanics and Electronics. In: Dynamics of Non-Smooth Systems. Lecture
Notes in Applied and Computational Mechanics, 35, Springer, Berlin.
[2] Glocker, Ch., 2001: Set-Valued Forces Laws. In: Dynamics of Non-Smooth Systems.
Lecture Notes in Applied and Computational Mechanics, 1, Springer, Berlin.
[3] Latham, J.-P.; Munjiza, A.; Garcia, X.; Xiang, J. and Guises, R., 2008: Three-
dimensionald particle shape acquisition and use of shape library for DEM and FEM/DEM
simulation. In: Minerals Engineerings, Elsevier, 797-805.
[4] Leine, R. I.; Schweizer, Christen, M.; Glover, J.; Bartelt, P. and Gerber, W., 2013: Sim-
ulation of rockfall trajectories with consideration of rock shape. submitted to Multibody
System Dynamics, 27 pages.
[5] Moreau, J.J., 1988: Unilateral contact and dry friction in finite freedom dynamics. In:
Non-Smooth Mechanics and Applications, Springer, Berlin, 1-82.
79
6.2 Publications
The development of RAMMS is based on scientific findings published in international scientific

journals. A list of the most important scientific publications about RAMMS and its applications
is given below (chronological order):
• Bartelt, P.; Bühler, Y.; Buser, O.; Christen, M. and Meier, L. 2012: Modeling mass-
dependent flow regime transitions to predict the stopping and depositional behavior of
snow avalanches, J. Geophys. Res., 117, F01015, doi:10.1029/2010JF001957
• Christen, M.; Bühler, Y.; Bartelt, P.; Leine, R.; Glover, J.; Schweizer, A.; Graf, C.;
McArdell, B.W.; Gerber, W.; Deubelbeiss, Y.; Feistl, T. and Volkwein, A. (2012): In-
tegral hazard management using a unified software environment: numerical simulation
tool "RAMMS" for gravitational natural hazards. In: Koboltschnig, G.; Hübl, J.; Braun,
J. (eds.) 12th Congress INTERPRAEVENT, 23-26 April 2012 Grenoble - France. Pro-
ceedings. Vol. 1. Klagenfurt, International Research Society INTERPRAEVENT. 77-86.
• Christen, M.; Gerber, W.; Graf, Ch.; Bühler Y.; Bartelt, P.; Glover, J.; McArdell, B.;
Feistl, T.; Steinkogler, W. 2012: Numerische Simulation von gravitativen Naturgefahren
mit "RAMMS" (Rapid Mass Movements). Zeitschrift für Wildbach-, Lawinen-, Erosions-
und Steinschlagschutz. 169, 282 - 293.
• Bühler, Y.; Christen, M.; Kowalski, J. and Bartelt, P. 2011: Sensitivity of snow avalanche
simulations to digital elevation model quality and resolution. Annals of Glaciology,
52(58), 7280
• M. Christen, J. Kowalski and P. Bartelt 2010: RAMMS: Numerical simulation of dense

snow avalanches in three-dimensional terrain, Cold Regions Science and Technology, 63,
1 - 14
• M. Christen, P. Bartelt, and J. Kowalski 2010: Back calculation of the In den Arelen
avalanche with RAMMS: Interpretation of model results. Annals of Glaciology, 51(54),
161 - 168
• G. Sartoris and P. Bartelt 2000: Upwinded finite difference schemes for dense snow
avalanche modelling. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Fluids, 32, 799-
821.
• P. Bartelt, B. Salm and U. Gruber 1999: Calculating dense-snow avalanche runout using
a Voellmy-fluid model with active/passive longitudinal straining. Journal of Glaciology,
45(150), 242 - 254
List of Figures
3.1 Installation - Welcome dialog window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

3.2 Installation - Readme dialog window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.3 Installation - License agreement dialog window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3.4 Installation - Destination directory dialog window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3.5 Installation - Installing files dialog window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.6 Installation - Finished installing files dialog window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.7 Installation - Finished installation dialog window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.8 IDL Visual Studio Merge Modules - Welcome dialog window. . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.9 IDL Visual Studio Merge Modules - Ready to install the Program. . . . . . . . 10
3.10 IDL Visual Studio Merge Modules - Installing... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.11 Installation - Destination directory dialog window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.12 RAMMS icon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.13 RAMMS program group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.14 RAMMS start window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.15 RAMMS licensing window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.16 Enter user name and company name. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.17 Personal license request file RAMMS_request_Muster Test.txt. . . . . . . . . . 13
3.18 Personal license key file RAMMS_license_Muster Test.txt. . . . . . . . . . . . 14
3.19 General tab of RAMMS preferences. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
3.20 Rockfall tab of RAMMS preferences. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
3.21 RAMMS preferences. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
3.22 Browse for the correct folder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
4.1 The same project extent (area of interest) can be used to calculate different
scenarios with different input parameters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
4.2 Example ESRI ASCII grid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
4.3 Example ASCII X,Y,Z single space data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
4.4 Contact detection between a rock and the DEM in RAMMS::Rockfall. . . . . . 21
i
List of Figures
4.5 External forces acting on the rock are the gravitational Force I Fg and frictional
contact forces I Fc . For a rock with its center of mass lying inside the drag
force layer with height zheight the drag force I Fd is enabled and acts in the
opposite direction of the center of mass velocity I vS of the rock. (Leine et al.
2013 [4]) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
4.6 RAMMS rock builder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
4.7 RAMMS Rockfall Project Wizard: Step 1 of 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
4.8 Step 1 of the RAMMS Project Wizard: Project information. . . . . . . . . . . 26
4.9 Window to browse for a new project location. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
4.10 Step 2 of the RAMMS Project Wizard: GIS information. . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
4.11 Project coordinates: lower left and upper right corner of project area. . . . . . 27
4.12 Step 3 of the RAMMS Project Wizard: Project boundary coordinates. . . . . . 27
4.13 Step 4 of the RAMMS Project Wizard: Project summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
4.14 Created project files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
4.15 "Active" project with lines and corners for resizing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
4.16 "Active" project with rotation axes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
4.17 3D view of example model. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
4.18 2D view of example model. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
4.19 The Display tab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
4.20 The Colorbar Properties window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
4.21 Window to choose map image. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
4.22 About RAMMS... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
4.23 Define a release point and find its coordinates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
4.24 Project with emerging release lines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
4.25 Rock Builder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
4.26 Rock information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
4.27 Project with emerging polygon shapefile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
4.28 Project with emerging polygon shapefiles which represent forest areas. . . . . . 44
4.29 General information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
4.30 Friction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
4.31 Forest/Moor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
4.32 Point release. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
4.33 Line release. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
4.34 Rock tab - rock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
4.35 Rock tab - cuboid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
4.36 Status window of calculation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
4.37 Main window in output mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
4.38 RAMMS Project Input Log File. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
ii RAMMS User Manual

List of Figures
4.39 Region extent (X-, Y- and Z-Coordinates, total area). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

4.40 Output Log File. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
4.41 The Genral tab of the Rockfall panel provides information on some input pa-
rameters of a simulation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
4.42 Trajectory Log File. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
4.43 Results: Values of jump height (left), velocity (middle) and kinetic rock energy
(right). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
4.44 Trajectory XY Plot. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
4.45 Line profile plot. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
5.1 Graphical user interface (GUI). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

5.2 The active time step (139) is shown in the time step slider. . . . . . . . . . . . 72
5.3 Status information shown in the left status bar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
5.4 Position information and triangle simulation results in the right status bar. . . . 72
5.5 Colorbar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
5.6 Rockfall panel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
5.7 No transparency (left) and 40% transparency (right) of simulation result. . . . 75
WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF iii

List of Exercises
3.6.a: Working directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
4.3.a: How to create a new project. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
4.4.a: Moving and resizing the model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
4.4.b: Rotating the model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
4.4.c: How to switch between 2D and 3D mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
4.4.d: Editing the colorbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
4.4.e: How to add or change maps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
4.4.f: How to add or change remote sensing imagery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
4.4.g: How to save input files and program settings manually. . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
4.4.h: How to open an input file. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
4.4.i: How to open an output file/simulation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
4.4.j: How to load an optional shapefile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
4.5.a: How to define a release point. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
4.5.b: How to load an existing release point. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
4.5.c: How to create a new release line. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
4.5.d: How to load an existing release line. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
4.5.e: How to create a rock with the Rock Builder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
4.5.f: How to create a shapefile with specific terrain material. . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
4.5.g: How to create a shapefile to represent a specific surface cover. . . . . . . . . 44
4.5.h: How to run a rockfall simulation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
4.6.a: Displaying calculation values. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
4.6.b: How to draw a Trajectory XY Plot. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
v
List of Exercises
4.6.c: How to draw a line profile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
vi RAMMS User Manual

Index
Add/Change Export
Add/Change Image, 67 Export GIF Animation, 59, 62
Add/Change Map, 67 Export Image File, 59, 62
Export Result As ASCII Grid, 66
Backup
Export Result As Shapefile, 66
Backup Active Project, 62
Export Result To Google Earth, 67
Backup RAMMS Version, 62
Backup User-Defined Files/Folders, 62 File
.dbf, 28
Colorbar, 73
.gif, 59
Edit Colorbar, 32
.jpg, 59
Contact Force
.png, 59
Negative g, 54, 65
.pts, 23
Perpendicular, 54, 65
.rts, 35
Contact Model, 21
.shp, 28, 35
Contour Plot
.shx, 28
Show Contour Plot, 66
.tfw, 33
Convert XYZ To ASCII Grid, 20
.tif, 59
Create All Log Files, 67
.xml, 28, 34, 35
Curvature
.xyz, 28
Resample Slope/Curvature, 66
dhm.asc, 28
Show Curvature, 66
dhm.sav, 28
DEM File Management, 76
Set DEM Directory, 15 World, 33
Disclaimer, 2 Friction, 21, 43, 65
Drag Layer, 21, 44 Terrain Material, 43
Surface Cover, 44 Value, 54, 65
Edit Graphical User Interface, 61

Edit Colorbar, 32 Colorbar, 61
Edit Dataspace Properties, 63 Main Window, 61
Exit, 62 Menu Bar, 62
vii
List of Exercises
Edit, 63 Log File

Extras, 67 Create All Log Files, 67
GIS/GRASS, 66 RAMMS Log File (Current), 62
Help, 68 RAMMS Log File (Last Session), 62
Input, 63
Project, 67 Main Window, 72
Results, 65 Map
Run, 64 Add/Change Map, 33, 67
Show, 64 Load New Map, 33
Track, 62 Set Map Directory, 15
Trajectory, 66 Move, 29
Panel, 61
Open
Status Bar, 61
Open Input File, 35
Time Step Slider, 61
Open Output File, 35
Toolbar Buttons, 61
Open Shapefile, 35
Image Orthophoto
Add/Change Image, 67 Add/Change Orthophoto, 33
Add/Change Orthophoto, 33 Load New Orthophoto, 33
Load New Image, 33 Set Orthophoto Directory, 15
Set Orthophoto Directory, 15 Output
Input Open Output File, 35
Model Input Data, 20

Panel
Open Input File, 35
Rockfall Panel, 74
View Input File (.xml), 63, 66
Display, 74
Installation, 5
General, 74
Introduction, 1
Region, 74
Jump Height, 54, 65 Rock, 74

Transparency, 75
Learning By Doing, 3 Point, 67
Licensing Methods, 12 Position
Line Profile, 56, 58 Reload Position, 67
Load Save Active Position, 67
Load Existing Release Line, 37 Preferences, 15, 17, 62
Load Existing Release Point, 37 Set DEM Directory, 15
Load New Map, 33 Set Map Directory, 15
Load New Orthophoto, 33 Set Orthophoto Directory, 15
Load Shapefile, 35 Set Working Directory, 15, 17
viii RAMMS User Manual

Index
Profile, 67 Z, 54, 65
Line Profile, 56, 58 Slippage, 54, 65
Trajectory XY Plot, 55, 56 Statistics
Project Nr Of Rocks, 54
Create New Project, 25 Total Rock Energy, 54, 65
General, 19 Values, 56
Information, 51 Rock
Model Input Data, 20 Rock Builder, 40, 67
Scenarios, 19 Rock Energy
Wizard, 25 Kinetic, 54, 65
Publications, 79, 80 Total, 54, 65
Rock Geometry, 23, 40
RAMMS Log File (Current), 62 Rock Velocity, 54, 65
RAMMS Log File (Last Session), 62 Rockfall Wizard, 25
References, 79 Rotational Rock Velocity, 65
Release, 37, 63 Resultant, 54, 65
Release Information, 22 X, 54, 65
Release Line, 37, 63 Y, 54, 65
Create Manually, 37 Z, 54, 65
Draw New Release Line, 63 Run Simulation, 45
Load Existing Release Line, 37, 63 Scenario, 37
Release Point, 37
Load Existing Release Point, 37 Save
Resize, 29 Save Active Position, 67
Results, 54 Save Automatically, 34, 35
Contact Force Save Manually, 34
Negative g, 54, 65 Shapefile
Perpendicular, 54, 65 Draw New Polygon Shapefile, 63
Friction Value, 54, 65 Export Results As Shapefile, 66
Jump Height, 54, 65 Import GIS Shapefile, 66
Kinetic Rock Energy, 54, 65 Load Existing Polygon Shapefile, 63
Rotational, 54, 65 Load Shapefile, 35
Translational, 54, 65 Open Shapefile, 35
Rock Velocity, 54, 65 Show
Rotational Rock Velocity, 54, 65 Show Contour Plot, 66
Resultant, 54, 65 Show Curvature, 66
X, 54, 65 Show Slope Angle, 66
Y, 54, 65 Slippage, 54, 65
WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF ix

List of Exercises
Slope Time Step Slider, 72

Resample Slope/Curvature, 66 Toolbar
Show Slope Angle, 66 Horizontal, 69
Statistics Vertical, 71
Nr Of Rocks, 54 Trajectory, 66
Status Bar Trajectory XY Plot, 55, 56
Left, 72 View Trajectory Data Log File, 66
Right, 72 View Trajectory Standard Output Log
Surface Cover, 44 File, 66
Surface Information, 21 View Trajectory XY Plot, 66
System Requirements, 5 Transparency, 75
Terrain Material, 43 Update, 14
x RAMMS User Manual

RAMMS
rapid mass movements simulation
WSL Institut für Schnee- und Lawinenforschung SLF

WSL Institut pour l‘étude de la neige et des avalanches SLF
WSL Instituto per lo studio della neve e delle valange SLF
WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF

RAMMS ROCK Manual

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RAMMS

rapid mass movements simulation

A numerical model for rockfall in research and practice

User Manual v1.5

WSL Institut für Schnee- und Lawinenforschung SLF

Title picture: Rockfall at Fiznau (LU), Werner Gerber, 2003

Contributors (alphabetical order)

Centre of Mechanics ETH Zurich:

3 Setup and first start 5

4 Working with RAMMS 19

4.4.6 About RAMMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

6 References and further reading 79

ii RAMMS User Manual

RAMMS (Rapid Mass Movements Simulation) is a two-dimensional, state-of-the-art numerical

RAMMS is intended to be used as a tool to support experienced users. The interpretation

2 RAMMS User Manual

3.1 System requirements

We recommend the following minimum system requirements for running RAMMS:

• Operating System: Windows XP (32-bit) and Windows 7 (64-bit)

• RAM (memory): 2GB (more recommended)

• CPU: Intel Pentium 1 GHz (dual core recommended)

• Harddisk: ca. 200 MB

Please do the following steps before starting to install RAMMS:

3.2.1 Installation procedure

Figure 3.1: Installation - Welcome dialog window.

Figure 3.2: Installation - Readme dialog window.

6 RAMMS User Manual

Step 3: Accepting the License Agreement

Figure 3.3: Installation - License agreement dialog window.

Step 4: Select Destination Directory

Figure 3.4: Installation - Destination directory dialog window.

WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF 7

Step 5: Installing the files

Figure 3.5: Installation - Installing files dialog window.

Step 6: Finished installing the files

Figure 3.6: Installation - Finished installing files dialog window.

8 RAMMS User Manual

Step 7: RAMMS Installation finished!

Figure 3.7: Installation - Finished installation dialog window.

Step 8: Welcome to IDL Visual Studio Merge Modules

WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF 9

Step 9: Ready to install the Program

Step 10: Installing IDL Visual Studio Merge Modules

Figure 3.10: IDL Visual Studio Merge Modules - Installing...

10 RAMMS User Manual

Step 11: InstallShield Wizard Completed

Figure 3.11: Installation - Destination directory dialog window.

Figure 3.12: RAMMS icon.

• RAMMS → Run RAMMS

• RAMMS → Uninstall RAMMS

Figure 3.13: RAMMS program group.

WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF 11

3.3 Licensing Methods

3.4 First Start

Figure 3.14: RAMMS start window.

Figure 3.15: RAMMS licensing window.

12 RAMMS User Manual

3.4.1 Personal License Request File

Figure 3.16: Enter user name and company name.

Figure 3.17: Personal license request file RAMMS_request_Muster Test.txt.

WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF 13

3.4.2 Get the Personal License Key