Characteristics of Compressive Strength of Sea Ice at Notoro Lagoon

Strength Dispersion and Influence of Grain Structure

Abstract

Mechanical tests were conducted under around -2°C with small size specimens prepared to obtain compressive and bending strength of the ice sheet facing the indentor, which is one year sea ice. Physical characteristics of the sea ice were summarized using various relationships as follows: density vs. salinity, compressive strength vs. density or salinity, compressive vs. bending strength, compressive strength vs. grain structure and inhomogeneity in compressive strength in the horizontal direction. The test results can be explained well by assuming that both compressive strength and bending strength are proportional to D-1/2 (D: crystal grain size).