The Strength–Density Relationship for Dry Snow

Abstract

A linear relationship between strength and density is a characteristic feature of deposited snow. This relationship is explained theoretically in the case of old dry snow in ternis of the theory of sintering. The discontinuity in the relationship at a density of about 0.4 g./cm3is considered to mark a transition point below which the snow densifies primarily by rearranement of the grains and the strength increases by the growth of existing bonds, and above which densification occurs by volume diffusion and the strength increases primarily by the creation of new bonds. Experimental evidence to support these ideas is presented.