Compacted-Snow Runways in Antarctica - Limitations of Contaminated Snow

摘要

Techniques and equipment have been developed to utilize clean, undisturbed snow as a building material for emergency and temporary roads, runways, and skiways in polar regions. However, these routes are often needed in areas where the snow is contaminated. During Deep Freeze 65, a compacted-snow runway was constructed in an area of contaminated snow near McMurdo, Antarctica. The area had been contaminated by oil spillage, soot, and debris from previous operations. Physical property tests were conducted on the compacted snow near the end of Deep Freeze 65 and during Deep Freeze 66. It was concluded that contaminated snow can be processed to produce load-carrying material capable of supporting C-130 aircraft and other heavy loads at temperatures below 20F; however, because of the extra work involved to clear and process such snow, its marginal load-carrying capabilities at temperatures above 20F, and the possibility of low-strength areas, its use is not recommended where clean snow is available. New processing techniques resulted in improved quality control of compacted snow, and it was recommended that effort be continued to improve processing techniques. (Author)