FIRN DENSIFICATION BY GRAIN-BOUNDARY SLIDING: A FIRST MODEL.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Densification in highly porous, isothermal firn occurs primarily by Newtonian sliding on grain boundaries, but the coordination number increases with density and restricts further sliding. At a relative density of about 0. 6 the coordination number approaches 6 and sliding ceases to be a primary mechanism of densification; the resulting decrease in densification rate causes the critical point in depth-density profiles. A simple model for densification by boundary sliding yields a good fit to observed profiles. The viscosities so obtained give an activation energy equal to that for grain-boundary diffusion.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationJournal de Physique (Paris), Colloque
Pages249-256
Number of pages8
Edition3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1987

Publication series

NameJournal de Physique (Paris), Colloque
Number3
Volume48
ISSN (Print)0449-1947

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Engineering

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