Drifting-Snow Similitude—Transport-Rate and Roughness Modeling

• Published in: Journal of Glaciology
• Main Author: Iversen, J. D.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1980
• Subjects: Earth-Surface Processes; Journal of Glaciology
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000010923; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000010923

Abstract This paper reports on results from a series of experiments in a boundary-layer wind tunnel concerning snow-drift control adjacent to grade separations on interstate highways. A new application of similitude principles making use of theoretical relationships involving drifting particulate material is presented. The primary modeling parameters are considered to be a mass-rate parameter and an aerodynamic roughness parameter. They are derived by considerations of mass-transport rate of material in saltation and the equivalent roughness height of material in saltation. The parameters are combined empirically to correlate model snow-drift data successfully as well as to predict equivalent full-scale wind speeds and storm durations. The combined parameter has been used to compare and evaluate a variety of drift-control techniques adjacent to an interstate highway grade-separation crossing.