Open Access

ARTICLE

Fragmentation of Ice Sheets during Impact

A.P.S.Selvadurai¹

1 Department of Civil Engineering and Applied Mechanics, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada H3A 2K6

Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences 2009, 52(3), 259-278. https://doi.org/10.3970/cmes.2009.052.259

Abstract

The paper deals with a computational approach for modelling the fragmentation of ice sheets during their impact with stationary structures. The modelling takes into consideration the intact continuum behaviour of the ice as a rate-sensitive elastoplastic material. During impact, the ice sheet can undergo fragmentation, which is controlled by a brittle strength criterion based on the current stress state. The fragmentation allows the generation of discrete elements of the ice sheet, the movements of which are governed by the equations of motion. The contact between individual fragments is governed by a Coulomb criterion. The individual fragments can themselves undergo further fragmentation with a size-dependent brittle strength criterion. The modelling is applied to examine the interaction and fragmentation of an ice sheet of finite dimensions as it impacts a stationary object.

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Keywords

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