The Effect of Loading Rate on the Bending Strength of Alluvium Reinforced Ice

by L. J. Weber, Univ of Iowa, Iowa City, United States,
W. A. Nixon, Univ of Iowa, Iowa City, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Cold Regions Engineering

Abstract:

Traditional building materials are often less than ideal for construction in remote Arctic locations. Their mechanical properties may be degraded in extreme cold, and costs associated with transporting materials to remote locations may be prohibitive. Ice, reinforced with alluvium, may be an economic and effective construction material for certain projects in remote locations. Results of three point bend tests on beams of ice, reinforced with a poorly graded sand (d₅₀ = 0.5mm), show that alluvium is an effective reinforcer (Nixon and Weber, 1990; Nixon, 1989). Further, tests performed at different loading rates indicate that a higher strength is achieved at lower loading rates. Examination of load-displacement curves and Weibull analysis of the data indicates that this increase in strength with decreasing loading rate is a result of changing micromechanical behavior within the reinforced beams.

Subject Headings: Soil stabilization | Load tests | Construction materials | Loading rates | Strength of materials | Material properties | Ice loads | Arctic

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