Embedded Ultrasonic Inspection on the Mechanical Properties of Cold Region Ice under Varying Temperatures

Abstract

The mechanical properties of ice in cold regions are significantly affected by the variation in temperature. The existing methods to determine ice properties commonly rely on one-off and destructive compression and strength experiments, which are unable to acquire the varying properties of ice due to temperature variations. To this end, an embedded ultrasonic system is proposed to inspect the mechanical properties of ice in an online and real-time mode. With this system, ultrasonic experiments are conducted to testify to the validity of the system in continuously inspecting the mechanical properties of ice and, in particular, to verify its capabilities to obtain ice properties for various temperature conditions. As an extension of the experiment, an associated refined numerical model is elaborated by mimicking the number, size, and agglomeration of bubbles using a stochastic distribution. This system can continuously record the wave propagation velocity in the ice, giving rise to ice properties through the intrinsic mechanics relationship. In addition, this model facilitates having insights into the effect of properties, e.g., porosity, on ice properties. The proposed embedded ultrasonic system largely outperforms the existing methods to obtain ice properties, holding promise for developing online and real-time monitoring techniques to assess the ice condition closely related to structures in cold regions.

Evolution of Bulk Nanobubbles under Different Freezing Conditions

“…Moreover, the size and distribution of bubbles in glacier ice offer valuable insights into glacier dynamics, aiding in the comprehension of both internal glacier structure and movement patterns . The presence of bubbles in ice exerts a notable influence on various properties of ice, encompassing density, mechanical strength, and optical characteristics, among others. − An abundance of air bubbles within the ice results in reduced density and heightened brittleness, thereby elevating the risk of ice cracking or collapsing. In cryopreservation practices involving cells and embryos, the formation of bubbles can inflict damage on these delicate structures .…”

Special Issue on Acoustic Sensors and Their Applications (Vol. 1)

“…In the tenth study, Han et al [ 10 ] developed a sophisticated embedded ultrasonic system to monitor the mechanical properties of ice in real-time and online under various temperature conditions. With the help of the numerical models, the wave propagation in ice was investigated, and the influence of varying temperatures on the wave propagation was also discussed.…”