The flexural strength of bonded ice

Abstract. The flexural strength of ice surfaces bonded by freezing, termed freeze bond, was studied performing four-point bending tests freshwater S2 columnar-grained samples in the laboratory. were prepared milling two pieces, wetting with water varying salinity, bringing these together, and then letting them under a compressive stress about 4 kPa. salinity used for to generate bond varied from 0 35 ppt (parts per thousand). Freezing occurred air temperatures −25 −3 ∘C over periods that 0.5 ∼ 100 h. Results show an increase or temperature leads decrease strength. trend as function is similar presented Timco O'Brien (1994) saline ice. No freezing occurs at once exceeds 25 ppt. bonds levels off (i.e., saturates) within 6–12 h freezing; formed reach strengths are comparable higher than parent material less