Ice Strength in Brittle and Ductile Failure Modes

Abstract

The fracture and flow characteristics of ice is dependent upon the state of stress, substructure geometry, temperature and strain rate. Compressive and tensile strength vary greatly due to the variety of ice types and their dependence on these factors. Simplifications of the mechanical behavior and failure criteria of ice are often necessary for engineering applications. Common idealizations of ice mechanics are addressed with emphasis on the suitability of various yield criteria for combined stress states. The failure of ice can be considered to be either yield‐dominant or as fracture‐dominant, while retaining the simplicity of conventional criteria. Their suitability to ice mechanics is enhanced by their capability of being adapted to a wide range of tension‐compression failure envelopes.