| Abstract | Ice loaded in compression deforms elastically and creeps, and if the loading is rapid or of long enough duration, microcracks are formed. These grow rapidly following initiation and form either along grain boundaries or through the grains, depending on the speed of the loading. A discrete numerical model has been developed to address some of the mechanisms influencing the static deformation of ice and the formation of cracks, and to assess the influence of the cracks on ice behaviour. The deformation of S2 columnar ice in the horizontal plane is considered using a finite/discrete element model, which accounts for the anisotropic properties of the individual grains and the behaviour along grain boundaries. The present paper emphasizes the factors that influence the delayed elasticity, sometimes referred to as primary or recoverable creep, which is caused by the relative creep rates between adjacent grains and along grain boundaries. Constant applied stresses of 1 MPa are modelled which correspond to strain rates of approximately 10-5s-1. |
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