Mechanical Properties of First-Year Sea Ice at Tarsiut Island

Abstract

This paper deals with the interpretation of small-scale first-year sea ice strength and property test data collected in 1982 during several field trips at Tarsiut Island N-44 location in the Canadian Beaufort Sea. Measurements of flexural, horizontal, and vertical uniaxial compressive and confined plane strain and borehole jack strengths are presented. Mathematical relationships representing the variation of these mechanical properties with temperature; salinity; strain and stress rates; and crystal structure (depth) are analyzed. Uniaxial unconfined compressive strength data of horizontal sea ice samples are compared with triaxially confined borehole jack strength data. Flexural strength data obtained from laboratory tests are compared with full-thickness cantilever beam tests performed in the field. The measured flexural strength of first-year sea ice is also provided in a statistical format. The apparent elastic modulus of sea ice is presented as a function of salinity and temperature.