A snow runway for supporting wheeled aircraft : Phoenix Airfield, McMurdo, Antarctica

Ballistic protection using snow

“…This is perhaps not surprising given the simplicity of the existing models and the many differences or unknows with both our tests and those in the literature (e.g., snow density and age, muzzle velocity, firing stand-off distances). Further, we know from prior studies that snow density alone is a poor predictor of snow strength [8]. Viewed in total, we aren't confident that any of the existing models can adequately predict snow penetration in dense-snow-filled gabions.…”

“…Average strength indices taken 36 h after gabion construction were 86 for the top layer (25-125 mm), 43 between 25 and 275 mm depth and 23 for the lowest layer measured (275-400 mm). For reference, except for the top layer, these strengths are about half of what is required for the same horizon in a snow pavement to support heavy wheeled cargo aircraft operations [8]. At the 36-hr time after gabion construction, no difference in snow strength could be detected between the snow and the snow-cellulous gabions.…”

“…For field applications such as this, we use a penetrometer for capturing a snow strength index. Several penetrometer types are available; with high strength snow we use a Russian Snow Penetrometer (RSP; [8]). Having a conical tip, the energy required to drive the RSP into snow results in a combined compressive and shear strength index [12].…”

“…Our concept involved processing snow as it was placed into a gabion resulting in a denser material than past practice utilized. Our experience constructing building foundations and runways [8] from processed snow gave us confidence that we could rapidly fill gabions and within 24 h provide a protective structure with ballistic stopping capabilities similar to sand fill.…”

McMurdo Snow Roads and Transportation : final program summary

“…Potential for equipment specialized for creating snow-road and airfield surfaces 5. Documenting road maintenance procedures and techniques for delaying and controlling melting surfaces At the end of the program, CRREL recommended additional studies of the ice shelf to help with future transportation issues and planning, some of which were subsequently funded and completed (e.g., Campbell, Lamie, and Schild 2018;Haehnel et al 2019). The SRT program and these followon studies serve as critical contributions to the viable and sustainable future of logistics support to the US Antarctic science program.…”