Propagating compaction bands in confined compression of snow

• Published in: Nature physics Vol. 13; no. 3; pp. 272 - 275
• Main Authors: Barraclough, Thomas W., Blackford, Jane R., Liebenstein, Stefan, Sandfeld, Stefan, Stratford, Tim J., Weinländer, Gerhard, Zaiser, Michael
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 01.03.2017; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 639/301/1034/1036; 639/301/923; 639/766/530/2803; Atomic; Behavior; Classical and Continuum Physics; Complex Systems; Compressing; Condensed Matter Physics; Critical phenomena; Deformation; Formations; letter; Localization; Material properties; Mathematical and Computational Physics; Molecular; Optical and Plasma Physics; Oscillations; Physical properties; Physics; Propagation; Snow; Softening; Strain localization; Strain rate; Theoretical

When deforming snow slowly, it resists. But when applying a deformation rapidly, it gives in more easily. Experiments now reveal propagating deformation bands and the localization of strain in compressed snow — both natural and artificial. Some materials are strong in response to a slowly applied de...