Ice Loads in Dry and Submerged Conditions

This paper describes a study of the effects of submergence on ice crushing loads. Thirty three small scale indentation tests have been performed on cone-shaped ice samples in dry and submerged conditions using a material testing system (MTS machine) located in a cold room at −7°C. The indenter was a flat aluminum plate at the bottom of a container that was attached to the actuator of the MTS machine. Transparent windows facilitated visual observations and recordings using a high speed camera. In the submerged tests the container was partly filled with salt water. Testing was performed at rates of 1 mm/s and 100 mm/s. The specimens were ice cones with 25 cm in diameter and with 20° and 30° angles. Data recordings comprised time-penetration and time-force histories. Generally higher forces were obtained in submerged tests. Furthermore, the difference between dry and submerged condition was more pronounced at the high indentation rate.