Physical Modeling of Snow Drift and Wind Pressure Distribution at the Proposed German Antarctic Station Neumayer III

Snow drift performance and wind pressure distribution was studied at scaled wind tunnel models of the new Antarctic research station Neumayer III. One objective of the project was to identify possible problems due to wind driven erosion and accumulation of snow around the station body to be constructed on the Antarctic shelf ice. Based on systematic wind tunnel testing including flow visualization experiments, wall shear stress visualization, flow measurements and physical modeling of wind erosion and snow drift, a comprehensive insight into the complex flow phenomena around the station was gained. In a second set of wind tunnel tests, wind pressure distributions were measured for the final station design in order to assist the structural design process. Both, snow drift modeling as well as the wind flow and wind pressure measurements at the station delivered relevant information integrated into the design process and the operational advice of the station.