Accession Number:

ADA399589

Title:

Capillary Tension in Rotting Ice Layers

Descriptive Note:

Technical rept.

Corporate Author:

ENGINEER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER HANOVER NH COLD REGIONS RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING LAB

Personal Author(s):

• Jordan, Rachel E.
• Stark, Jeffrey A.

Report Date:

2001-09-01

Pagination or Media Count:

21.0

Abstract:

This study examines the moisture tension constituent relationship of ice near 0 C by measuring its moisture characteristic curve. In this novel approach, we held ice samples in a Tempe cell submerged in a cold bath and removed water from the ice veins through incremental increases in air pressure. Observed air entry and water re-entry pressures generally support an idealized flow path model of alternating vein segments and nodes. Re-entry of water into the air-filled ice samples occurred slowly over a period of weeks, suggesting low permeabilities on the order of 1 x 10-18 m2. We conclude that ice desaturates and rewets in a manner similar to soils, with entry pressures on the order of silts.

Descriptors:

• *PERMEABILITY
• *ICE
• *MOISTURE
• MEASUREMENT
• MODELS
• WATER
• FLOW FIELDS
• SAMPLING
• PRESSURE
• AIR PRESSURE
• CAPILLARITY

Subject Categories:

• Snow, Ice and Permafrost

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE