Journal of Cold Regions Engineering

The basis of the present paper is the approach suggested previously by the writers. By matching inner and outer solutions, a separate modeling of the deformation and fracture processes in stressed ice covers, taking into account the difference in relevant characteristic geometric and force parameters, is accomplished. In the outer problem, the scale is determined by the channel length; in the inner, by the size of the active fracture zone near the channel tip. A similarity criterion is introduced having the form of a characteristic length that incorporates the fracture toughness. Using this parameter, it is possible to formulate relations for critical loads or dimensions of fracture pieces that are formed in the process of icebreaker—ice‐cover interaction. These relations may be derived separately for the inner problem, taking into account matching conditions with the outer problem. The characteristic form of the relation is shown for the case of fracture near an icebreaker hull due to cylindrical bending, taking into account the velocity effect of icebreaker motion. This paper presents a system for choosing modeling parameters for ice fracture using fracture toughness and strength dependencies, salinity, and temperature data for model ice. The data were collected from the ice basin of the Russian Arctic and Antarctic Scientific Research Institute.

Fresh‐water ice rubble was tested under proportional displacement rates in a plane‐strain apparatus. Stress‐strain relationships and values of the mobilized angle of internal friction were determined for a range of strain paths. Stresses increased with increasing strains. Shear stress dependence on shear strain and mean pressure dependence on volumetric strain followed logarithmic equations. The roles of block‐size distribution and of submerging the rubble were examined. The results are also compared to those of model ice rubble.