Capillary Tension in Rotting Ice Layers

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.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2001
Accession Number
ADA399589

Entities

People

  • Jeffrey A. Stark
  • Rachel E. Jordan

Organizations

  • Engineer Research and Development Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Gaps
  • Air Pressure
  • Civil Engineering
  • Cold Regions
  • Electronic Mail
  • Engineering
  • Equations
  • Flow Rate
  • Geometry
  • Grain Boundaries
  • Grain Size
  • Heat Energy
  • Liquids
  • Surface Tension
  • Temperature Gradients
  • Thermodynamics
  • Water Flow

Readers

  • Geotechnical Engineering.
  • Polar and Arctic Studies
  • Structural Dynamics.