Bearing capacity tests on ice reinforced with Geogrid

Abstract : Laboratory tests were conducted on floating freshwater ice sheets, reinforced with a high-strength polymeric mesh (Geogrid). The mesh was frozen into the ice sheets. Bearing capacity tests were conducted on each ice sheet, whose thickness varied from 3 to 13 cm, while the dynamic loads varied from 1.3 to 23 kN. Comparisons to tests on ice without reinforcement were made; Geogrid reinforcement increased the bearing capacity of thin (49-mm) ice up to 38% and of thicker ice (96 mm) about 10-15%. Failure of the ice with Geogrid reinforcement was local, whereas failure of the ice without Geogrid was over a large area. Displacement of the ice is compared to theory for plates on an elastic foundation. Field tests were conducted at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. A small unit support vehicle (Hagglunds BV 206) was used for loading a reinforced ice sheet that was 53 cm thick. The Geogrid, even though it was frozen into the top 7.6 cm of the ice sheet, reduced the deflection of the ice sheet.