Some aspects of strength in sea ice mechanics

The paper provides estimates of the relation between the strength of sea ice and its porosity in the framework of a porous solid model proposed earlier. The influence of the ice capillary structure filled with brine on the ice strength is analyzed, showing that the rise of local stresses in the ice changes its limit equilibrium conditions. Comparison is made to elucidate how the sea ice strength responds to loading length- and crosswise the capillary axes. Patterns by which ice structure elements merge resulting mostly in main cracks or in multiple ordered crack systems under compression are discussed. The tendency toward generation of ordered crack systems or propagation of single main cracks in the structured material is determined by the activity of its structural elements involved in fracture. A method is proposed for estimating the average strength of sea ice cover relative to horizontal compression with regard to partial loss of the bearing capacity of ice layers during deformation.