Ice pressure distribution model: A geometry-based solution for high-pressure zone representation

Abstract

Studies have shown that the interface between ice and an indenter is a complex system that gives rise to two ice types, relatively-intact ice and crushed ice. Each type accordingly imparts different pressure magnitudes on the indenting structure, where intact ice is associated with high pressures zones (HPZs) and crushed ice with low pressures (LPZs). HPZ average pressures are almost an order of magnitude larger than LPZ pressures. This means that their relative distribution over the contact area significantly affects the structural response. This work develops a methodology for modelling ice pressure zone distributions based on the topological skeleton and distance field information of the ice-indenter contact area. Results compare favourably with experimentally determined HPZ distributions from varying ice indentation experiments of small, medium and large scale.