Experimental measurement and expression of atmospheric ice Young's modulus according to its density

International audienc

Cohesive strength and fracture toughness of atmospheric ice

International audienceThis paper aims at defining the key mechanical properties of atmospheric ice in order to improve the design ofmechanical de-icing systems. Based on ice fracture mechanisms, the parameters of interest are the cohesivestrength of the ice and its fracture toughness. A hybrid experimental/numerical vibrating method is used tomeasure those critical values. Parameters such as temperature and precipitation rate influence the ice densityand ice samples are thus defined with respect to this parameter. First, the cohesive strength of ice is measuredover the entire range of ice density and a polynomial expression of the cohesive strength of ice is given as afunction of this density. Then the fracture toughness is measured for a smaller range of density and an averagecritical value is given. Finally, the influence of the properties computed is discussed to assess the conditions ofatmospheric ice mechanical removal and the challenges for the design of mechanical ice protection systems. Thestudy tends to show that as its density decreases, ice is more difficult to remove mechanically