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The modeling media used to simulate snow in both the Environmental Wind Tunnel and the Snow Drift Wind Tunnel is glass beads. These are 85% true spheres with a size range from 10 to 150 microns. The average bead size is 50 to 80 microns.
These beads are ordinarily used as the reflective element in paint used for highway signs. They are also used for bead blasting of machined parts.
Although the beads are heavier, and have a lower angel of repose than snow for the most part they perform well in replicating snow drift observed in the field.
USACE Engineer Research and Development Center
Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory
72 Lyme Road, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA 03755-1290
Public Affairs Office: info@crrel.usace.army.mil
or 603-646-4292
Pagemaster: tmorgan@crrel.usace.army.mil
or 603-646-4286
Updated: August 2004 (dbh)
