Flow of anisotropic ice from the EPICA core: a new test apparatus

Abstract

AbstractOur objective is to measure the mechanical properties of anisotropic ice of the EPICA ice core, from Dome Concordia, Antarctica, through the full depth of the borehole in deformation experiments under simulated ice-sheet conditions of temperature and pressure. We propose to undertake experiments on the EPICA core using both a conventional triaxial-test apparatus and a new, true, triaxial-test apparatus incorporating automated tomographic imaging of the ice-fabric evolution during deformation. We present the design of this new apparatus together with our testing methodology for EPICA ice. The new apparatus is capable of deforming an ice specimen, up to 200 mm × 100 mm × 40 mm, under servo-controlled biaxial loading with a superimposed confining pressure of 50 MPa and at temperatures down to –40°C. Highly unusual problems arising from the true triaxial nature of the apparatus and tomographic imaging are discussed.