Analysis for an Embedded Ice Pressure Sensor

Abstract

A plane elastostatic analysis is presented for the problem of a rectangular, orthotropic, elastic inclusion in an isotropic elastic host, with differential thermal expansion between the inclusion and the host. The analysis assumes that bending as well as shear deflection of the inclusion boundaries can be neglected. The product of this analysis is a closed form solution applicable to an embedded ice pressure sensor of rectangular cross section having relatively rigid sensing face cover plates. The form of the solution displays several significant results concerning inclusion effects for both in-line and transverse ice stresses, Poisson’s ratio effects, and thermal expansion effects. The most striking result is that the magnitude of the error induced in ice pressure measurements by neglecting differential thermal expansion is not a function of the sensor’s stiffness in the sensing direction.