Ice-Induced Dynamic Behaviour of Structures

Ice research is continually challenged by new questions, The questions have evolved from the basic knowledge of ice strength itself to the evaluation of indentation forces. Even though some work is still needed to assess the reliability of values of static ice loads on large structures, the major concern lately relates to dynamic loading. The vibration of a structure on a regular basis can cause fatigue failure of members or, even worse, affect the stability of the structure by eventual liquefaction of the berm or the sand core. The mechanisms involved in the ice-structure interaction are not completely understood; the importance of the various parameters are still under study and the roles played by the ice and by the structure are not yet clearly defined. An attempt has been made to analyze a record of the vibrations experienced during an ice event in order to identify the various mechanisms involved in the ice-structure interaction process.