REQUIREMENT FOR IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SNOW FOR MOBILITY PURPOSES

摘要

The difficulties encountered in the determination of snow properties and characteristics which are relevant to the problem of snow trafficabi1ity are magnified by the lack of adequate means to properly identify and classify snow. The various components of the problem include: (1) Thermal, mechanical, and time factors which influence the density and structure-of snow, and its response characteristics, (2) Changes in snow properties and response characteristics due to age and temperature histories. (3) Methods of snow testing - recognizing that the response of snow is conditioned by the test instrument and technique. (4) Procedures and criteria for identifying and classifying snow throughout the period of interest and for forecasting [prediction] purposes. In this paper, the ISTVS Committee on Snow Mechanics Research Coordination discusses some of the above components of. the problem to illustrate and dramatize the need for establishment of (a) necessary standards and procedures to identify, classify, and test snow, and (b) proper relevant analyses of the test data for mobility analysis and prediction purposes.