MECHANICS OF SEA ICE AT SMALL SCALES
A. Khosravi, S. Durski, and J. Hutchings
Oregon State University
Abstract
Discrete (or discontinuous) modeling techniques, commonly referred to as the discrete element method (DEM), have been proven to offer a new avenue for modeling the brittle mechanics of sea ice. Three intrinsic problems are associated with using current DEM techniques including: (1) unrealistic unconfined compressive to tensile strength ratio, low interlocking and rolling resistance after bond breakage, and pressure-independency of the strength characteristics of the sea ice. This study plans to perform a parametric study to evaluate the effect of sea ice microparameters including presence and distribution of micro-cracks, particles’ internal friction angle and angularity, and bond cohesion to tensile strength ratio on the macro-properties of the sea ice. Also, the effect of test conditions including strain rate and confinement will be investigated and discussed. From the results of this study, a new calibration procedure will be developed that considers the sea ice behavior in the pre- and post-peak regions.