Settlement Force on a Beam in Snowpack by Computer Modelling

Abstract

Computer analysis is carried out to predict the force that bears upon a horizontal beam embedded in settling snowpack. Use is made of extensive experimental data on snow depth, layering and density, and on measured force on a test beam, in order to evaluate the internal structural arrangement in a finite element representation of the region in the vicinity of the beam. The compressive secondary-creep viscoelastic properties and the densification properties of the snow are accounted for in the computer modelling. Results show that the bearing force on the beam develop from direct snow weight, from shear transfer by adjacent snowpack, from basal weakening below and to the side of the beam, and from snow densification above and to the side of the beam producing a bridging mechanism. These findings corroborate with related experimental results and point out the need for further refinement in definition, particularly of the bridging mechanism, which produces large force incrementation on the beam compared to the other mechanisms noted.