Experimental studies of ice cracking tests in an anechoic chamber

Abstract

As the Northwest passage becomes more frequently traveled by commercial and business interests, it is becoming important to increase existing methods for safety at sea in harsh Arctic conditions. In order to identify ice-floe movements in the Arctic, acoustical signatures for ice behaviors need to be identified and analyzed. Being able to identify the acoustic signature of ice cracking in real-time will help vessels navigate the arctic by identifying moving ice-floes and monitoring present ice conditions. This study identifies a novel method for detecting thermal cracking in ice, ice fracturing, and ice shearing events in an anechoic chamber. Comparing the power spectra and identified peak frequencies against empirically collected data from previous studies, this methodology aims to recreate the arctic environment in a lab without travel to the region for baseline data collection. Furthermore, based on a literature review, little power spectra data exist. The data collected from this study will add to the creation of a baseline identification for future ice fracture studies. Observations are made on the collected data which can be used to improve navigational methods for safety at sea.