1. ERDC Knowledge Core
2. Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)
3. Cold Regions Research Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) - (2/1/1961 - present)
4. Publication
5. Research Report

Title:	Variation of some mechanical properties of polar snow, Camp Century, Greenland
Authors:	Kovacs, Austin Weeks, W. F. Michitti, Frank
Keywords:	Snow Snow density Snow mechanics Snow mechanical properties Snow strength tests Snow strength Compressive strength Tensile strength Porosity Loads
Publisher:	Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (U.S.) Engineer Research and Development Center (U.S.)
Description:	Research Report Abstract: The unconfined compressive strengths σ𝖼 and the ring-tensile strengths σ𝖳 of snow and ice specimens from the Inclined Drift at Camp Century, Greenland, were determined. The specimen densities varied over essentially the complete natural density range of polar snow and ice (0.340 to 0.890 g/cm^3). The specimens were loaded rapidly to failure with times varying between 0.2 and 1.4 sec. During loading, head speeds varied between 5.1 and 23.6 cm/min, although during individual tests they were constant. Even the low density specimens failed in the brittle mode. Although a plot of σ𝖳 vs 𝞬 is linear, σ𝖼 vs 𝞬 is clearly nonlinear. This nonlinearity may result from either changes in the level of the internal stress concentrations associated with the voids in the snow or from changes in the ratio (bulk porosity/effective porosity of the failure surface) with density. Both tangent and secant moduli are linear functions of 𝞬. There is no pronounced change in σ𝖼 with changes in strain rate. A significant increase in σ𝖳, σ𝖼 and the modulus values was noted at bulk densities greater than 0.830 g/cm^3. This increase is presumably caused by the close-off of the air passages.
Rights:	Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
URI:	http://hdl.handle.net/11681/5807
Appears in Collections:	Research Report