A Theoretical Consideration of the Strength of Snow

• Published in: Journal of Glaciology
• Main Authors: Ballard, G. E. H., Feldt, E. D.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1966
• Subjects: Earth-Surface Processes; Journal of Glaciology
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000019146; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000019146

Abstract A consideration of possible expressions for the number and size of bonds intersected by a potential failure surface leads to the following expression for the strength of snow, σ f , which is age-hardening at a constant porosity n : where σ i is the strength of ice, t f is the time at failure, α is a parameter specifically related to the mechanism of bonding, and ω is a temperature-dependent parameter. Allowing t f to become infinite provides the envelope of maximum strength for fully age-hardened snow at any porosity n .