Author(s): Wilfrid A. Nixon; Mir A. Wasif
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Abstract: When ice is loaded in compression above a certain threshold strain rate, cracks develop within the ice. These cracks may lead to instability and so-called brittle failure within the ice, or may lead to a peak in the stress-strain curve. Understanding how cracks develop within the ice is key to determining accurate and realistic constitutive models for ice deformation behavior. To this end, a series of constant strain-rate compression tests have been performed on laboratory grown S2 fresh water ice, with grain column diameter of approximately 3-5 mm. Tests were conducted at temperatures of -5°C and at strain rates of 10-5 s-1. Samples were strained to between 0.1 and 0.9% strain, and then unloaded at the same strain rate. Both vertical and horizontal strain were recorded during the test so that the effect of cracking on the effective Poisson's ratio could be determined. After the test, thick sections were taken from the samples and the number of cracks in a given area were counted. Thin sections were then made from these thick sections so that the crystallography could be determined. The results of these tests are presented and their implications are discussed.
Year: 1992