Fracture Toughness of Fresh-Water Ice

Abstract

Abstract The plane-strain fracture toughness of fresh-water ice was measured at various loading rates and temperatures. The fracture toughness of ice decreases as loading rate increases and as the test temperature approaches the melting point. The presence of liquid water seems to reduce the fracture toughness. The fracture toughness for crack arrest is slightly lower than the static fracture toughness.