Snow Classification in Support of Off-Road Vehicle Technology.

• Main Author: Irwin,Gerald J
• Other Authors: DEFENCE RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT OTTAWA (ONTARIO)
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1979
• Subjects: Snow; Ice and Permafrost; Surface Transportation and Equipment; *MILITARY VEHICLES; *SNOW; *CLASSIFICATION; CANADA; COLD REGIONS; PENETROMETERS; OFFROAD TRAFFIC; COLD WEATHER TESTS; PERMAFROST; COMPACTORS; METAMORPHOSIS; TRAFFICABILITY; *Snow mechanics; La Chapelle's classification system; Canada; Ice; permafrost
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA067295; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA067295

The present report is based on a contribution made recently to the International Society for Terrain Vehicle Systems (ISTVS) committee on Snow Mechanics Research Coordination. The International Classification System for snow and a system for metamorphosed snow are combined with field measurements to describe deposited snow in several Canadian localities. Several types of metamorphosed snow are placed in groups that are identified in terms of the structure of the snow pack, the geographic location, and the local climate. The groupings, though incomplete, are considered to provide a convenient base for describing those naturally occurring conditions which are likely to affect off-road vehicles. In support of classifying snow in terms of the physical environment, the plate penetrometer applied normally to the snow pack is recommended above other penetrometer types. The plate is however not intended to compete with currently developing methodologies for vehicle performance prediction. (Author) Abstract in French.