Deformation Measurement Research Articles

Research and application of a flexible measuring array for deep displacement of landslides

Abstract. The multidimensional and multi-sliding surface measurement of deep-seated displacement on landslides poses a significant technical challenge in landslide monitoring and early warning. The fixed-borehole inclinometer serves as an important measurement method based on drilling for this purpose. In this study, a novel flexible measurement array for deep-seated landslide displacement and its installation and measurement processes were developed, enabling higher accuracy in full-hole multidimensional deformation measurement. The measurement array consists of individual measurement probes as basic units, connected in series through coaxial cables and high-pressure rubber hoses, forming a flexible measurement array. Each probe is equipped with acceleration and magnetic field sensors, allowing for the measurement of borehole inclination and azimuth angles and providing a more comprehensive understanding of the deformation of deep-seated landslides. This flexible measurement array resolves the limitations of traditional fixed inclinometers, such as limited probe quantity or inaccurate installation positions that fail to reflect the deformation trend of the landslide body. Moreover, it eliminates the need for auxiliary installation accessories like pulleys and inclinometer pipes, simplifying the mechanical structure and installation process, which represents an advancement in methodology and an improvement in measurement techniques. This array provides a more comprehensive and improved monitoring tool for disaster prevention and mitigation, thereby enhancing the level of geological hazard monitoring and early warning technology.

Coaxial panoramic 3D-DIC system for full inner surface deformation measurement

A coaxial panoramic three-dimensional digital image correlation (3D-DIC) system was developed for full 360o inner surface deformation measurement. The panoramic observation was realized by using a convex mirror. Two cameras were arranged coaxially to ensure the largest overlapping observation area. After the coordinate transformation and correlation calculation, the 3D displacement and strain distributions were reconstructed. The principles of the system were presented in detail, and the internal morphology and deformation of pipes subjected to compression loading were described to verify the effectiveness, practicality, and accuracy of the proposed system.

Robust and efficient implementation of finite strain generalized continuum models for material failure: Analytical, numerical, and automatic differentiation with hyper-dual numbers

Generalized continuum models for representing nonlinear material behavior including material failure in the finite strain regime are commonly formulated based on scalar elastic and dissipation potential functions. The evolution of stresses and internal variables, i.e., the material state, is governed by partial derivatives of the potential functions with respect to deformation and stress measures. Furthermore, for application of such models in implicit nonlinear finite element analysis tangent operators, consistent with the numerical integration algorithm, are required. In this work, we study analytical, numerical and automatic differentiation schemes for the implementation of coupled, generalized continuum models considering finite inelastic deformations and fracture. This includes the application of finite difference approximations, complex-step derivative approximations and automatic differentiation based on hyper-dual numbers. For the use of automatic differentiation, a semi-analytical split approach is introduced for increasing the computational efficiency. Based on a comprehensive 2D and 3D finite element study, we demonstrate the superior properties of automatic differentiation compared to numerical differentiation methods with regards to accuracy and robustness. Furthermore, the additional computational cost for automatic differentiation using the proposed split approach becomes negligible for large problems.

Model test on the collapse mechanism of subway tunnels in the soil-sand-rock composite strata

Collapse is a typical type of accident during subway tunnel construction. Complex geological conditions, particularly soil-sand-rock composite strata, significantly contribute to strata instability, posing a serious threat to tunnel safety. Indeed, the progressive failure leading to the collapse of subway tunnels in these composite strata exhibits distinct characteristics from that of single strata and warrants further research. In this paper, model tests were conducted to investigate the collapse process of the soil-sand-rock composite strata under different overlayer rock thicknesses. Soil pressure sensors monitored the mechanical response of the strata, while a two-dimensional full-field deformation measurement and analysis system (XTDIC-2D) provided displacement and strain fields. Additionally, an industrial camera captured video footage of the failure process. The results demonstrated that the collapse characteristics of the soil-sand-rock composite strata were significantly impacted by overlayer rock layer thickness. As the thickness of the rock layer decreased, the collapse easily expanded to the sand layer under a slight loading. The sand layer exhibited distinct behaviors with high compressibility, thixotropy, and flowability during the collapse process. The high compressibility of the sand layer before collapse resulted in strain concentration within it, thereby resisting the deformation of the rock strata. After the collapse of the rock strata, the thixotropic and flowability properties caused the collapse surface to expand in a funnel shape towards both sides. A stabilized stratigraphic arch could not be formed due to the arch foot being located above the sand layer, which cannot provide stable support. Overall, the results of this research offer valuable guidance for the prevention and control of tunnel collapse in soil-sand-rock composite strata.

An innovative binocular vision-based method for displacement measurement in membrane structures

Abstract This article presents a new binocular vision method for accurate deformation measurements of flexible membrane structures. Using enhanced marker points on the membrane, the method identifies areas for displacement measurements, filtering out unwanted image features with scale-invariant feature transform and threshold correlation. It integrates Canny edge recognition and quadratic weighted averaging for precise positioning of measurement points. By comparing reference images and utilizing the principle of minimum distance between matching points, the method achieves fast matching and determines the three-dimensional coordinates of marker points, enhancing measurement efficiency and robustness. This approach has been empirically tested on membrane structures, providing new insights. The results highlight that our novel algorithm can achieve high-precision measurements down to millimeters, and its accuracy increases with the actual displacement of the membrane structure. Notably, this groundbreaking measurement method remains unaffected by the form of the membrane surface, addressing a long-standing challenge in the field.

Application of deep learning method for time reduction and precision improvement in displacement measurement during in-situ SEM tensile test

In this study, a novel material deformation measurement method is suggested to evaluate the mechanical properties of thin films. It is important to identify the mechanical properties of thin films in order to do a reliable design of these products. One of the methods to get the mechanical properties of thin films is to acquire images during an in-situ SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) tensile test and analyze them. However, SEM image acquisition is mostly affected by the time varying motion of pixel positions in the consecutive images, a phenomenon called drift and distortion. In this study, some images of low resolution during in-situ SEM tensile test of the thin film are acquired in short time and restored to high resolution images using the deep learning model called Super Resolution Residual Network (SRResNet) to calculate the deformation of thin films. The proposed method increased the precision of measurement by 5 times, improved the accuracy of measurement by 20%, and reduced the measurement time by 19 times.

Nonlinear optimization DIC method inspired by unsupervised learning for high order displacement measurement

Digital Image Correlation (DIC) is the most widely used non-contact full-field strain measurement method, but due to the influence of subset calculations in principle, measuring complex deformation with high strain gradients within the subset remains a challenge. DIC based on neural networks performs well in complex deformation measurement scenarios, but its measurement accuracy and generalization ability depend on extensive training sets. This paper proposes a nonlinear optimization DIC method inspired by unsupervised learning that requires only a single pair of images. Unlike traditional unsupervised algorithms of optical flow estimation or Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), the shape function in traditional DIC is incorporated into the loss function. This allows the use of only the reference image and the deformed image as input dataset, and the correct displacement field can be output after parameter optimization through training. This method does not require additional training sets to measure high-order strain fields like traditional neural networks-based DIC. The proposed method has demonstrated promising results in simulation experiments for high-order strain measurement and does not require additional datasets of the same type. In the measurement of the star-shaped displacement fields, its accuracy is better than the traditional DIC based on the subset, and it maintains convergence even when the strain is large, a situation where traditional DIC fails to converge. In addition, compared with the network obtained by supervised training as a pre-trained model, the method proposed in this paper can achieve superior results. The methods of the article can theoretically be applied to the result optimization of other networks beyond those discussed in this paper.

Connection strength analysis and prediction of external swaging based on tube deformation measurement

Fittings have extensive use in the aerospace, automotive, and other industries as they serve as sealing and connecting components for tube systems. External Swaging (ES) forming creates a permanent joint through plastic deformation of the metal. This technique is not dependent on the tube's wall thickness and offers benefits such as high-pressure resistance and effective sealing. Using the forming process of a 10 mm Ti-3Al-2.5 V tube with an adapted 21-6-9 fitting as an illustration, a three-dimensional finite element model for the entire assembly was developed. The model consists of the tube, fitting, elastic clamp, and crimping tool. The formation mechanism and joint strength of external swaging are analyzed by numerical simulation and experimental testing. The results show that during the extrusion process, the tangential contact between the extrusion tool and the elastic clamps converts external radial loads into circumferential loads, resulting in circumferential strains in the tube. Circumferential strain creates an arched sealing area between the tube and fitting contact surfaces, providing sealing and joint strength. The joint strength of 10.60 kN was determined through finite element simulation. The load required for forming is determined by analysis to be 80.13 kN. and the relationship between squeeze load, crimp volume and joint strength is clarified. The study revealed that the height of the arch area aligns with the connection strength's change rule concerning extrusion load, fitting the two found that when the external extrusion load changes, the two are linear rule of changing. Based on this, a method is suggested for forecasting the strength of a joint by measuring the height of the arch in the tube after forming.

Impact of optical fiber-based photo-activation on dental composite polymerization

ObjectivesThe study aimed to introduce a novel two-step optical fiber-based photo-activation of dental resin-based composites (RBCs) for reducing polymerization shrinkage stress (PSS). MethodsProposed protocol design – in the first step, two flexible plastic optical fibers connected to a dental light curing unit (LCU), were used as light guides inserted into the filling to initiate low-irradiance polymerization from within; in the second step, fibers were extracted and remaining voids were filled with RBC, followed by conventional high-irradiance curing to finalize polymerization. Three bulk-fill RBCs were tested (Beautifil-Bulk Restorative, Filtek Bulk-fill Posterior, Tetric PowerFill) using tooth cavity models. Three non-invasive examination techniques were employed: Digital Holographic Interferometry, Infrared Thermography, and Raman spectroscopy for monitoring model deformation, RBC temperature change, and degree of conversion (DC), respectively. A control group (for each examined RBC) underwent conventional photo-activation. ResultsThe experimental protocol significantly reduced model deformation by 15 – 35 %, accompanied by an 18 – 54 % reduction in RBC temperature change, emphasizing the impact of thermal shrinkage on PSS. Real-time measurements of deformation and temperature provided indirect insights into reaction dynamics and illuminated potential mechanisms underlying PSS reduction. After a 24-hour dark-storage period, DC outcomes comparable to conventional curing were observed, affirming the clinical applicability of the method. ConclusionsProtocol involving the use of two 1.5 mm fibers in the first step (300 mW/cm2 x 10 s), followed by a second conventional curing step (1000 mW/cm2 x 10 s), is recommended to achieve the desired PSS reduction, while maintaining adequate DC and ensuring efficient clinical application. Clinical SignificanceObtained PSS reduction offers promise in potentially improving the performance of composite restorations. Additionally, leveraging the flexibility of optical fibers improves light guide approach for restorations on posterior teeth. Meanwhile, implementation in clinical practice is easily achievable by coupling the fibers with commercial dental LCUs using the provided plastic adapter.

Shack–Hartmann wavefront sensing: A new approach to time-resolved measurement of the stress intensity factor during dynamic fracture

The stress intensity factor describes the stress state around a crack tip in a solid material and is important for understanding crack initiation and propagation. Because stresses cannot be measured directly, the characterization of the stress intensity factor relies on the measurement of deformation around a crack tip. Such measurements are challenging for dynamic fracture of brittle materials where the deformation is small and the crack tip velocity can be high. Digital gradient sensing (DGS) is capable of full-field measurement of surface deformation with a sub-micrometer sensitivity and a sub-microsecond temporal resolution, but it has only been demonstrated on centimeter-scale specimens with a spatial resolution of ∼ 1 mm. This makes it challenging to measure deformations close to the crack tip. Here, we demonstrate the potential of Shack–Hartmann wavefront sensing (SHWFS), as an alternative to DGS, for measuring surface deformation during dynamic brittle fracture of millimeter-scale specimens. Using an opaque commercial glass ceramic as an example material, we demonstrate the capability of SHWFS to measure the surface slope evolution induced by a propagating crack with a micrometer spatial resolution and a sub-microsecond temporal resolution. The SHWFS apparatus has the additional advantage of being physically more compact than a typical DGS apparatus. We interpret our SHWFS measurements of the surface slope by comparing them with 2D analytical predictions and phase-field simulations as well as 3D linear-elastic FEM simulations, based on which we discuss the relevance of 3D effects around the crack tip. Then, we introduce our procedure for extracting the apparent stress intensity factor associated with the propagating crack tip using SHWFS measurements. We conclude by discussing potential future enhancements of this technique and how its compactness could enable the integration of SHWFS with other characterization techniques including x-ray phase-contrast imaging (XPCI) for multi-modal characterization of dynamic fracture.

Three-dimensional deformation measurement techniques in space multi-physical fields based on digital image correlation

Aiming at the three-dimensional deformation measurement requirement of the high-stability structure of spacecraft in space multi-physical fields, a comprehensive instrument protection device in a vacuum high-low temperature environment is developed using ultra-low temperature anti-condensation and vacuum heat insulation technology. This ensures that the digital image correlation (DIC) measurement camera always remains in a constant temperature and pressure environment and can stably exert its original efficiency in space multi-physical field environments. Subsequently, a path-dependent DIC method based on a graphics processing unit computing parallel acceleration is proposed by combining a pre-interpolation strategy and integrated image technology, which realizes high-precision matching of digital images before and after deformation in a spatial multi-physical field environment and improves the computing efficiency. To address the problem that a common reference point may deform significantly in a space environment with a large temperature change, which leads to inaccurate system accuracy, combined with a random sampling consistency algorithm and singular value decomposition method, the optimal registration of the coordinate system and the solution of deformation were realized by setting the threshold of the reference point margin screening. Finally, a three-dimensional deformation measurement system in high- and low-temperature vacuum environments was built, and the three-dimensional deformation measurement of the satellite antenna in high- and low-temperature vacuum environments was verified, which proves the effectiveness and accuracy of the above method.

A Modular Soft Sensing Skin for Fast Measurement of Wing Deformation in Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.

Insects, bats, and small birds show outstanding flight performance even under complex atmospheric conditions, which is partially due to the ability of these natural fliers to sense and react to disturbances quickly. These biological systems often use large numbers of sensors arrayed across their bodies to detect disturbances, but previous efforts to use large arrays of sensors in engineered fliers have typically resulted in slow responses due to the need to scan and process data from the large number of sensors. To address the challenges of capturing disturbances in a large sensing array with low latency, this work proposes and demonstrates a modular soft sensing system to quickly detect disturbances in small unmanned aerial vehicles. A large array of soft strain sensors with high sensing resolution covers the entire wingspan, providing rich information on wing deformation. Owing to the modular design, decentralized computation enables the sensing system to efficiently manage sensor data, resulting in sufficiently fast sampling to capture wing dynamics while all 32 sensors embedded in the modular soft sensing skin are used. This hardware architecture also results in significantly reduced noise in the sensing system, leading to a high signal-to-noise ratio. These methods can ultimately enable fast and reliable control of both soft and rigid robotic systems using large arrays of soft sensors.

A thermo-mechanical, viscoelasto-plastic model for semi-crystalline polymers exhibiting one-way and two-way shape memory effects under phase change

A finite strain phenomenological model is developed to simulate the shape memory behavior of semi-crystalline polymers under thermo-mechanical loading. The polymer is considered to be a composite of crystalline and amorphous phases with constant volume fractions. While the amorphous phase is stable, the crystalline one is considered to change phase with temperature. Therefore, the crystalline phase is considered further to be composed of two phases, whose volume fractions are controlled by a temperature and strain dependent function: the melted phase which is soft, and the crystallized phase which is stiff.A pressure dependent viscoelasto-plastic behavior is considered for the constitutive model of the different phases. In addition to pressure dependent plasticity, additional deformation measures are applied to the crystalline phase to model temporary (imperfect shape fixity) and permanent (imperfect shape recovery) deformations in a thermo-mechanical loading cycle. Formulating a compressible plastic flow during the phase changes yields the possibility to capture both one-way and two-way shape memory effects. As a consequence, the load-dependent and anisotropic thermal expansion observed experimentally in semi-crystalline polymers during phase change is naturally captured.The model is validated within a test campaign performed on nano-composite having a semi-crystalline polymer as a base material. It is shown that the model gives close results with the tests and it is able to capture the shape fixity and shape recovery behaviors of the polymer, for both one-way and two-way shape memory effects.

Deformation measurement by digital speckle pattern interferometry using holographically recorded object in LiNbO3 as a reference

A new method, to the best of our knowledge, in digital speckle pattern interferometry is introduced. It depends on extending the applicability of using LiNbO3 crystal as a holographic recording medium for the evaluation of the difference in displacement between two similar objects (master and test), and displaying the comparison result in the form of an interference pattern. The method is a two-stage process. In the first stage, two states (un-displaced and displaced states) of the master object are recorded in a LiNbO3 crystal using the usual holographic arrangement. In the second stage, various phase stepping algorithms are applied, using the reconstructed wavefronts of the master object as a holographic optical element to produce a reference wave field in the comparison process. Recording and analysis of the difference correlation fringes are performed using the phase wrapping algorithm and real experiment.

Effect of volume infusion on left atrial strain in acute circulatory failure

BackgroundLeft atrial strain (LAS) is a measure of atrial wall deformation during cardiac cycle and reflects atrial contribution to cardiovascular performance. Pathophysiological significance of LAS in critically ill patients with hemodynamic instability has never been explored. This study aimed at describing LAS and its variation during volume expansion and to assess the relationship between LAS components and fluid responsiveness.MethodsThis prospective observational study was performed in a French ICU and included patients with acute circulatory failure, for whom the treating physician decided to proceed to volume expansion (rapid infusion of 500 mL of crystalloid solution). Trans-thoracic echocardiography was performed before and after the fluid infusion. LAS analysis was performed offline. Fluid responsiveness was defined as an increase in velocity-time integral (VTI) of left ventricular outflow tract ≥ 10%.ResultsThirty-eight patients were included in the final analysis. Seventeen (45%) patients were fluid responders. LAS analysis had a good feasibility and reproducibility. Overall, LAS was markedly reduced in all its components, with values of 19 [15 – 32], -9 [-19 – -7] and − 9 [-13 – -5] % for LAS reservoir (LASr), conduit (LAScd) and contraction (LASct), respectively. LASr, LAScd and LASct significantly increased during volume expansion in the entire population. Baseline value of LAS did not predict fluid responsiveness and the changes in LAS and VTI during volume expansion were not significantly correlated.ConclusionsLAS is severely altered during acute circulatory failure. LAS components significantly increase during fluid administration, but cannot be used to predict or assess fluid responsiveness.

(F)utility of preoperative pulmonary function testing in pectus excavatum to assess severity

PurposeThe utility of pulmonary function testing (PFT) in pectus excavatum (PE) has been subject to debate. Although some evidence shows improvement from preoperative to postoperative values, the clinical significance is uncertain. A high failure-to-completion rate for operative PFT (48%) was identified in our large institutional cohort. With such a high non-completion rate, we questioned the overall utility of PFT in the preoperative assessment of PE and sought to evaluate if other measures of PE severity or cardiopulmonary function could explain this finding.MethodsDemographics, clinical findings, and results from cardiac MRI, PFT (spirometry and plethysmography), and cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPET) were reviewed in 270 patients with PE evaluated preoperatively between 2015 and 2018. Regression modeling was used to measure associations between PFT completion and cardiopulmonary function.ResultsThere were no differences in demographics, symptoms, connective tissue disorders, or multiple indices of pectus severity and cardiac deformation in PFT completers versus non-completers. While regression analysis revealed higher RVEF, LVEF, and LVEF-Z scores, lower RV-ESV/BSA, LV-ESV/BSA, and LV-ESV/BSA-Z scores, and abnormal breathing reserve in PFT completers vs. non-completers, these findings were not consistent across continuous and binary analyses.ConclusionsWe found that PFT completers were not significantly different from non-completers in most structural and functional measures of pectus deformity and cardiopulmonary function. Inability to complete PFT is not an indicator of pectus severity.

Application of Installations with Uniform-Strength Beams as Working Deformation Standards

A method for obtaining homogeneous deformation along the length of the measuring section of a uniform-strength beam and the possibility of its application as part of a working deformation standard are considered. The results of the analysis of the bending model and the design of a uniform-strength beam are presented. In the focus of attention are the parameters included in the measurement equation and related to methodological factors, as well as influencing the result of relative deformation measurements. The subjects of research are the presence of contact friction forces, heterogeneity of material properties, the special nature of the load application (bending, torsion, the presence of residual stresses in the body, geometrical parameters of the calibration beam, orientation of primary transducers on the beam, application of bending load, measurement of deflection and displacement of the neutral layer). The advantages and disadvantages of using a uniform-strength beam for determining the characteristics of primary strain transducers during testing, calibration, and verification were established. The deviation of signals of primary transducers located outside the axial cross-section when oriented along the beam axis and along the force lines converging at the point of load application was experimentally revealed. The error due to the orientation of the primary transducers on the beam depending on the angle between the lateral faces can range from 0.15 to 0.23 %. The study adds to the theoretical knowledge base on the possibility of using a cantilever uniform-strength beam as a load-bearing element in calibration installations. The conclusions may be useful for testing, calibrating, and verifying primary strain transducers.

Time series analysis of L-band PALSAR-2 images in Istanbul and Kocaeli, Turkey

ABSTRACT Conducting long measurements of infrastructure deformation is a critical engineering task. Conventional methods are both time-consuming and expensive, limiting their use for large-scale applications. The synergy of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and geographic information systems (GIS) offers a complementary approach. This study focuses on the feasibility of using time series analysis of L-band PALSAR-2 images to discover land displacements in Istanbul and Kocaeli, significant industrial and residential areas in Turkey. PALSAR-2 phase and intensity information were analyzed. For phase analysis, 14 L-band images from 2014 to 2021 were taken into account. Small baseline subset (SBAS) analysis was performed using 44 pairs, and results of the velocity, coherence and backscattering values are presented. Coherence of all pairs and their correlations were calculated. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) reduced the dimension of coherence pairs, enhancing feature extraction and the final geocoded velocity map revealed a fastest subsidence rate of −58 mm/yr and a mean subsidence of −20 mm/yr. These findings were confirmed through mean vertical velocity from Sentinel-1 datasets and field observations. The results showed that immature land subsidence in the mentioned areas are growing slowly, which can be taken as a serious risk in future.

Continuum-molecular modeling of planar micropolar media: Anisotropy, chiral properties and length-scale effects

This paper presents a continuum-molecular formulation for bi-dimensional micropolar media within the mathematical formalism of a revised peridynamic theory with oriented material points. A variational procedure is considered to derive the fundamental governing equations of the model, which postulates that material points interact through pair potentials allowing generalized pairwise actions to be derived as energy conjugates to properly defined pairwise deformation measures. While continuity of mass is assumed, constitutive laws are produced for long-range micro-interactions to reproduce the effective behavior of the material at the macro-scale. The definition of proper micromoduli functions respecting material symmetries and invariance properties allows then to obtain a non-local micropolar continuum based on pseudo-discrete kinematics, while providing a mechanism-based description of material anisotropy and coupling behaviors uncovered by classical elasticity. An analytic micro-macro moduli correspondence procedure is also established, based on the formal analogy with the constitutive tensor of centrosymmetric planar micropolar continua. As an important result of this research, we show that distinctive chiral effects of micropolar elasticity can be reproduced by introducing a directional independent pseudo-scalar pair potential, which turns out to be analytically vanishing when the rotationally invariant part of the corresponding continuum elastic tensor is invariant to mirror reflections as well. Moreover, the proposed formulation demonstrates sensitivity to elastic bending size-effect as specific property of structured materials homogenized as micropolar continua, and related to the characteristic length of their underlying microstructure. The resulting constitutive non-locality, which plays an important role in fracture problems, is conceptually separated with respect to the intrinsic non-local character of the model related to the integral nature of its governing equations, and then does not vanish when the horizon reduces to zero. The theoretical findings and the effectiveness of the model are successfully verified through illustrative examples referred to representative cases of structured materials homogenized as micropolar continua, including length-scale dependent quasi-static crack propagation as well as the mechanism-based description of the coupling between bulk strain and micro-rotation in elastic bi-dimensional homogenized chiral lattices.

Deformation, Strength and Tectonic Evolution of Basal Ice in Taylor Glacier, Antarctica

AbstractObservation and measurements of ice structure and deformation made in tunnels excavated into the margin of Taylor Glacier, a polythermal glacier in the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica, reveal a complex, rapidly deforming basal ice sequence. Displacement measurements in the basal ice, which is at a temperature of −18°C, together with the occurrence of cavities and slickenslides, suggest that sliding or rapid deformation in thin zones of high shear occurs at structural discontinuities within the basal zone. Strain measurements show that the highest strain rates occur in ice with average debris concentrations of 26% followed by ice with debris concentrations of around 12%. The lowest strain rates occur in clean bubbly ice that has very low debris concentrations (<0.02%). Deformation within the basal ice sequence is dominated by simple shear but disrupted by folding which results in shortening of the debris‐bearing ice followed by attenuation of the folds due to progressive simple shear which generates predominantly laminar basal ice structures. About 60% of glacier surface velocity can be attributed to deformation within the 4.5 m thick sequence of basal ice that was monitored for this study, and 15% of motion can be attributed to sliding or very localized shear. The combination of high debris concentrations and high strain rates in the debris‐bearing ice results in high rates of abrasion and the production of striated and facetted clasts typical of temperate glaciers, even though the basal ice is at a temperature of −18°C.