Field testing of uniaxial compression strength of columnar sea ice

Tests of uniaxial compression strength of columnar sea ice were conducted in the field on Svalbard, Norway. Salinity, density and temperature of each sample were measured and the brine and air volume was calculated based on these measurements. Even though focus is given to warm, decaying sea ice a wide range in the ice properties were examined. Material behaviour was also investigated and was distinguished between brittle and ductile behaviour and found that brittle behaviour does not occur when the air volume is above 7%. Both horizontal and vertical samples were tested and the relationship between the strength does not seem to be constant, but rather dependent on temperature. Numerical simulations of the measured strain were conducted using ice properties and time series of pressure. A strong relationship was found between the Young’s modulus and the porosity.