1. ERDC Knowledge Core
2. Pre - Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)
3. Snow, Ice and Permafrost Research Establishment (SIPRE) - (1947 - 1961)
4. Publication
5. Research Report

Title:	Some factors affecting vehicular trafficability of snow
Authors:	Gerdel, Robert W. Parrott, W. H. Diamond, Marvin Walsh, K. J.
Keywords:	Snow Trafficability Vehicles Snow vehicles
Publisher:	U.S. Army Snow, Ice, and Permafrost Research Establishment. Engineer Research and Development Center (U.S.)
Series/Report no.:	Research report (U.S. Army Snow
Description:	Research Report Abstract: The drawbar pull and hill-climbing potentials of three lightweight snow tractors were measured and associated with some of the properties of the snow. The relationship between certain meteorological phenomena and vehicular trafficability was investigated also. The trafficability studies were conducted in the High Sierra on cold winter and warm spring snow. It was determined that a direct relationship existed between drawbar pull and density of the snow when density was less than 0.4 g/cm^2 but no relationship was indicated for higher densities. A direct relationship between hardness and drawbar pull was found for both low-density winter snow and high-density spring snow. For the latter, a low hardness value appeared to be associated with the presence of free water in the snow. During the winter there was a direct relationship between air temperature and trafficability while during the spring tests the relationship was inverse. The presence of free water in the snow during warm periods in the spring appeared to be the cause of the reversal in the relationship between air temperature and trafficability. Both solar radiation and long-wave radiation appeared to be effective parameters but it was not possible to evaluate completely their influence on trafficability.
Rights:	Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
URI:	http://hdl.handle.net/11681/2718
Appears in Collections:	Research Report