Abstract. A total of 25 flexural and 55 uniaxial compressive
strength tests were conducted in laboratory using landfast sea ice samples
collected in the Prydz Bay. Three-point bending tests were performed at ice
temperatures of −12 to −3 ∘C with force applied vertically
to original ice surface, and compressive strength tests were performed at
−3 ∘C with a strain-rate level of 10−6–10−2 s−1 in the directions vertical and horizontal to ice surface. Judging
from crystal structure, the ice samples were divided into congelation ice,
snow ice, and a mixture of the two. The results of congelation ice
showed that the flexural strength had a decreasing trend depending on
porosity rather than brine volume, based on which a mathematical equation
was established to estimate flexural strength. Both flexural strength and
effective modulus of elasticity increased with increasing platelet spacing.
The uniaxial compressive strength increased and decreased with strain rate
below and above the critical regime, respectively, which is 8.0 × 10−4–1.5 × 10−3 s−1 for vertically loaded samples
and 2.0 × 10−3–3.0 × 10−3 s−1 for
horizontally loaded samples. A drop-off in compressive strength was shown
with increasing sea ice porosity. Consequently, a model was developed to
depict the combined effects of porosity and strain rate on compressive
strength in both ductile and brittle regimes. The mechanical strength of
mixed ice was lower than congelation ice, and that of snow ice was much
weaker. To provide a safe guide for the transportation of goods on landfast
sea ice in the Prydz Bay, the bearing capacity of the ice cover is estimated
with the lower and upper envelopes of flexural strength and effective
elastic modulus, respectively, which turned out to be a function of sea ice
porosity.