The ability of a natural snowpack to support the weight of a vehicle is often difficult to predict. Misjudgement of the load-carrying capacity of a snowpack may result in hang-up failure (i.e. immobilization) or a degree of high sinkage producing low tractive efficiency. The load carrying capacity of snow media may be predicted from measurements of vane and cone resistance in the various snow types. In a remote region where off-road vehicles normally travel, a portable, easy to operate, field device such as the Swiss Rammsonde is shown to provide a practical and alternative measure of snow strength. In addition, Rammsonde hardness may be correlated with vane and cone resistance parameters and provide input to a footing pressure - displacement relationship thereby serving to indicate vehicle flotation or sinkage.
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