Confined compression tests : Outlining the failure envelope of columnar sea ice

• Published in: Cold Regions Science and Technology
• Main Authors: Timco, G. W., Frederking, R. M. W.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 1986
• Subjects: Sea ice
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-232X(86)90016-9; https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/object/?id=252ef7d0-9454-487c-9c08-29d2e994822b; https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/fra/voir/objet/?id=252ef7d0-9454-487c-9c08-29d2e994822b

A series of confined compression tests has been performed on columnar sea ice over a range of nominal strain rates of 10⁻⁵ to 10⁻³ s⁻¹ at a temperature of -2°C. Both the applied load and side confining load were measured. These are used to outline the full 3-dimensional failure envelope of the ice. The results are discussed in terms of loading rate effects, temperature, brine volume and air porosity. A strength index is introduced which correlates the present results in terms of these parameters. This leads to an empirical relationship which gives the functional dependence of the uni-axial compressive strength in terms of strain rate, loading direction, salinity, temperature and ice density. A mathematical description of the failure envelope is presented using a modified n-type yield function. NRC publication: Yes