Micromechanical model for sintering and damage in viscoelastic porous ice and snow. Part II: validation

The last decades have witnessed sharp progress in both numerical simulation methods and computing power. Realistic simulation of complex structures such as snow remains challenging. The discrete particle approach now accessible due to advances in parallel processing has shown to be a good alternative for brittle and quasi-brittle materials. A novel numerical model has been described in part I of this study. Ice grains in snow are found near their melting points with an enhanced creep that constantly affects its microstructure. The behavior of snow combines characteristics of polycrystalline ice, which depends on stress rate, temperature, hydrostatic pressure and geometrical proprieties that affects its fracture properties. Snow can pass from porous continuous structure to a granular form or creep intensively when loaded. The herein proposed methodology includes time and pressure dependent bonding properties of ice and predicts large displacements, fracture, and granular flow in snow under the effect of mechanical stress. A micromechanical approach based on particle mechanics and beam theory is used to capture microstructure evolution under external loads. The calibration and validation are based on stress-strain data from some compression tests found in the literature.