Ice mechanics Essay

Date. Ice mechanics. Ice is formed in most case when water freezes. In ice mechanics, the ice formation techniques, the molecular structure of ice, the classification of ice, the material properties, fracture and deflection properties of ice and the load bearing capacity of ice are vital. It is essential to understand the rheological properties of ice as a material and analysis of the loads of the ice in terms of calculations. On loading an ice column, it acts as an elastic material but upon continuous loading, failure occurs in a plastic nature. On comparing fresh ice and sea ice, it is found that sea ice is weaker than the fresh ice and thus the brine inclusions affect the properties of ice.

In addition, temperature influences ice properties. Ice blocks can bear loads. Floating ice block’s load bearing capacity is a factor of buoyancy or the hydraulic pressure acting on the bottom surface. These forces are affected by several factors including surface area of the ice, the velocity of the wind and that of the water currents. Other forces include thermal expansion because of temperature changes and then the forces that are generated due to ice bonding. In conclusion, ice mechanics is an important aspect in the mechanical and structural aspect of ice blocks. Taking into considerations the properties of ice, the forces acting on a ice block and the load bearing capacity of ice is vital in the sense that while working with ice block engineers can analyze the loads and failure limits of the ice blocks.