Item: Effect of Microslructure on Heat and Vapor Transport in Snow Composed of Uniform Fine Ice Spheres
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Title: Effect of Microslructure on Heat and Vapor Transport in Snow Composed of Uniform Fine Ice Spheres
Proceedings: Proceedings of the 1994 International Snow Science Workshop, Snowbird, Utah, USA
Authors:
- Atsushi Sato [ Department of Civil Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717 ]
- Edward E. Adams [ Department of Civil Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717 ]
- Robert L. Brown [ Department of Civil Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717 ]
Date: 1994
Abstract: The formation of weak layers in the snowpack of slopes causes avalanches. One of the most important weak layers is known as depth hoar due to vapor transport between snow grains. Vapor transport is produced by temperature gradient in the snow pack. Even in the case of a uniform temperature gradients throughout the snow pack, a layer of poor thermal conductivity makes stronger temperature gradient Therefore ibis layer may quickly become depth hoar as a result of active transport of water vapor. Generally, empirical models of the effective thermal conductivity have concentrated on snow density as the determining factor, since the.density is surely a dominant parameter and is easily measured (Mellor, 1977). To explain measured scatter of thermal conductivity of snow, the influence of microstructure should be considered. We have begun to study the transport mechanisms of heat and water vapor with concerning microstructure, both theoretically and experimentally.
Language of Article: English
Presenters: Unknown
Keywords: depth hoar, weak layer, temperature gradient, thermal conductivity, water vapor
Page Number(s): 176-184
Subjects: snow microstructure persistent weak layers temperature gradient
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Digital Abstract Not Available
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