A New Instrument for Determining Strength Profiles in Snow Cover

Abstract The Digital Thermo-Resistograph is a portable microprocessor-based data-probe system for quick and accurate field collection of snow-cover strength. This was accomplished by constructing a probe with a load cell, a small snow platform for probe-position information, and a Z-80 microprocesso...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Glaciology
Main Authors: Dowd, Timothy, Brown, R. L.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1986
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000015628
https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000015628
Description
Summary:Abstract The Digital Thermo-Resistograph is a portable microprocessor-based data-probe system for quick and accurate field collection of snow-cover strength. This was accomplished by constructing a probe with a load cell, a small snow platform for probe-position information, and a Z-80 microprocessor-based data acquisition system. A 64 × 240 dot matrix LCD graphic display unit is used to show immediately complete strength profiles in the field. Sufficient memory for the storage of 25 profiles is provided. Temperature and temperature-gradient collection is also planned as a part of the instrument but as yet this work has not been completed. The results of winter 1984 field tests are presented. The Digital Thermo-Resistograph proved to be fast and reliable in collecting snow-strength information. Comparisons with the ram penetrometer are shown and suggestions for future developments are discussed.