Statistical Models of Snow Strength

Snow is variable in both time and space. Because of this fact, a complete understanding of snow strength must include statistical strength analyses. Two types of statistical strength theories are the series-element, or weakest-link theories and the parallel-element theories. In the case of snow in shear, Daniels’ (1945) parallel-element theory provides a quantitative explanation of the size and stress-rate relationships of snow, which are at least as accurate as presently available data. In the case of tensile tests, a combination of the two types of theories is proposed which also provides a quantitative explanation which is as accurate as present data. In each case large-volume, low-stress-rate strengths are predicted using small-volume, high-stress-rate data. More data are necessary to provide definitive tests of the proposed hypotheses.