Flexural Behavior of Model Sea Ice in a Centrifuge

Abstract

An experimental program was devised for the production of saline ice sheets in a centrifuge and the determination of flexural strength and elastic modulus of this ice through in situ cantilever beam testing. A cold box, in which dry ice acted as a heat sink, was used for this purpose. The ice beams were produced by lowering a heated brass frame through the ice cover. The load and beam deflections were recorded during indentation. The results of this analysis showed that inertial acceleration did not affect the flexural strength of the thin ice sheets required for this type of simulation. The data obtained were consistent with previously published strength values for thicker ice. The effective modulus showed a dependency on brine volume and inertial acceleration. The values obtained are substantially lower than those from conventional 1