ICE PRESSURE DISTRBUTION IN ICE-STRUCTURE NIERFACE AND STRUCTURE STIFFNESS EFFECTS ONICE-STRUCTURE INTERACTTON

Abstract

Field indentation tests using medium-scale model structures have been conducted since the winter of 1996. In the winter 1998 tests, two-dimensional pressure sensing panels were first installed on the face of the indentor. These panels clearly showed actual contact area, ice pressure distribution and movement of ice force location on the indentor surface during interaction. Ice flaking failure associated with a thin line-like contact area was observed from 3-D plots of pressure data in tests with an indentor velocity of 3.0mm/s. In the winter 1999 tests, a spring system (spring constant 15KN/mm) was first installed in the model structure to simulate a vibrating structure. These tests showed structure stiffness difference causes different manner of ice failure.