Thermoviscoelastic Constitutive Equations for Polycrystalline Ice

Abstract

Linear and nonlinear viscoelastic constitutive equations for freshwater and sea ice are addressed. Following a brief review of linear theory, some recently developed, physically based nonlinear equations are discussed, considering elastic, viscous and delayed elastic strain components. It is observed that a broad time spectrum representation is needed for an adequate characterization of the delayed elastic strain in the linear and nonlinear ranges of behavior. A specific nonlinear constitutive equation for uniaxial loading is proposed and successfully applied to the strain response of S2 saline ice subjected to multiple cycles of in-plane tensile loading and unloading. The theory is then extended to multiaxial loading.