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Strength Tests on Newly Fallen Snow

1969; Cambridge University Press; Volume: 8; Issue: 54 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1017/s0022143000027015

1727-5652

R. Perla,

Landslides and related hazards

Abstract Modified versions of in situ strength tests previously applied to metamorphosed snow were developed to measure the mechanical properties of newly fallen snow during storm periods. A large drop-cone penetrometer, protected from the wind by an aluminum shell, was used to determine snow “hardness”. A lightweight model of the Haefeli ram penetrometer measured “ram numbers”. Shear strengths were obtained from large, light-weight frames. Some preliminary tests were made with a shear vane driven by a torque wrench. A new technique was devised for measuring tensile strength whereby a cantilever beam of snow is undercut until it fails under its own weight. Comparisons between the cantilever test and the shear-frame test show high ratios for tensile to shear strength. Cantilever strength plotted against density shows an order of magnitude variation in strength at all densities.