A Laboratory Study of Factors Affecting Wetted Snow Roads

by W. G. Nelson, Univ of Alaska, Anchorage, AK, USA,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Cold Regions Engineering

Abstract:

A brief review of the the literature concerning the application of water to the surface of snow roads is presented. It is demonstrated that there is no general agreement on the proper application rates of water to snow road surfaces. The experimental procedure and results of a snow flooding program at the University of Alaska, Anchorage Cold Room Facility (UAA CRF) are presented. The experiment was conducted using fine and coarse grained snow at temperatures of 19 degree F ( minus 7 degree C), minus 30 degree F ( minus 34 degree C), and minus 50 degree F ( minus 45 degree C). Volumes of water applied per unit area ranged from 0. 12 inch (3mm) to 1. 2 inch (30mm). Resulting ice caps generated as a result of the multiple water applications at 24 hour intervals are described. Recommended water application programs based upon the UAA CRF tests are presented.

Subject Headings: Snow | Highways and roads | Laboratory tests | Highway engineering | Surface water | Floods | Water surface

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