Compressive Strength Properties of Snow

Abstract

Abstract The compressive strength of snow cylinders was investigated as a function of the age of the snow from which the cylinders were made, the snow particle size and the age of the cylinders. The results show that the compressive strength is reduced if the snow is older, if the particle size is smaller, or if the cylinders are younger. The variation with age of the cylinders can be represented by an equation similar to that for a first-order chemical reaction. The effect of adding small quantities of various gases to the atmosphere in which the cylinders were kept was also investigated; carbon dioxide and methane had no measurable effect, but ammonia lowered the strength of the cylinders. All the strength measurements were carried out at −10° C.