An Ice-Structure Interaction Model

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a theoretical model to simulate ice–structure interaction during intermittent crushing. It is developed based on experimental results from indentation tests, which were conducted by pushing vertical, flat indentors into the edges of freshwater, floating ice sheets. An event during intermittent crushing comprises three phases: (1) a loading phase, (2) an extrusion phase, and (3) a separation phase. The chapter presents the differential equations and solutions during each phase of interaction along with conditions for termination of each phase. Besides simulating interaction during intermittent crushing, the model simulates the transition from intermittent to continuous crushing at high rates of indentation, as found during indentation tests. The chapter presents the results from the model to show the effect of various parameters on the velocity at which transition from intermittent to continuous crushing takes place and on the frequency of intermittent crushing.