From snow X-ray microtomograph raw volume data to micromechanics modeling: First results

Abstract

The new approaches in absorption X-ray microtomography allow snow-volume image acquisition in the cm3 range without destroying snow structure, and make it possible to perform micromechanical studies with the real geometry. The main objective of this paper is to introduce the development of a new three-dimensional (3-D) geometry modeling and finite-element analysis simulation package adapted to these scales. These new code modules and procedures are briefly described using an isothermal metamorphism snow experiment (-2°C, 3 months). This sample of aged snow (3.375 mm3; 3003 voxels) allows simulation of a simple hypothetical uniaxial compressive stress experiment. The constitutive equations, boundary conditions, basic assumptions and the result showing the stress field over the 3-D data are discussed. The first qualitative results show a maximum stress of 6-9 MPa in some small bonds, showing the potential of these codes to simulate the micromechanical behavior of complex materials. © International Glaciological Society.