Abstract
A numerical model, DEMRICE, coupling a discrete element model with a finite element shallow water hydrodynamic model, is developed to study ice cover breakup by water waves in river channels. The ice cover is modeled by bonded dilated polyhedral elements that can break when the stress between the elements exceeds a critical bond strength. The model is applied to simulate wave-ice cover interaction, transverse crack propagation, and fragmentation of the cracked ice cover in a straight rectangular channel. The influence of varying wave characteristics and ice properties, such as wave height, wavelength, wave slope, ice thickness, and ice flexure strength, on crack propagation and cover fracture is examined. The analysis showed that the cover uplifting is the main cause of the ice cover fracture. The propagation speed of the cracks along the cover is mainly influenced by the wave speed, wave characteristics, and ice properties.
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