Research in Sea Ice Mechanics.

• Other Authors: NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC MARINE BOARD
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1981
• Subjects: Snow; Ice and Permafrost; *SEA ICE; MECHANICAL PROPERTIES; INTERACTIONS; CRYSTALS; SALINITY; OFFSHORE STRUCTURES; Ice; permafrost; Sea ice
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA099564; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA099564

This report identifies gaps in knowledge and understanding of the physical and engineering properties of natural and man-made ice. The panel offers recommendations for scientific and engineering research to provide data for the design of offshore and shoreline structures, as well as for the design of marine transportation systems for operations in ice-covered regions. While a leading motivation for increasing knowledge of sea ice mechanics is Alaskan offshore oil and gas development, research results may be applied to any offshore site or area affected by ice. The interaction of the ice cover with fixed and moving structures was identified by the panel as an important subject for research. Important ice types include sheet ice, ridges, rubble, fragmented covers, frazil ice and brash ice. Additional field observations, analytical studies, and laboratory model studies are needed to better understand the formation, mechanical behavior, and interaction of ice aggregates with engineering structures. The panel recommends that laboratory tests be conducted to obtain mechanical characteristics of sea ice with appropriate internal states. Experiments should be conducted to determine the large-scale mechanical characteristics of natural sea ice cover of known internal state, and theories should be developed to provide satisfactory properties essential for engineering design.