The Effect of a Bimodal Grain Size Distribution on the Compressive Strength of Polycrystalline Ice

The Effect of a Bimodal Grain Size Distribution on the Compressive Strength of Polycrystalline Ice
Author: James L. Laughlin
Publisher:
Total Pages: 105
Release: 1985
Genre:
ISBN:

Previous studies have shown that grain size directly affects the strength of fresh-water equiaxed polycrystalline ice Ih, where strength decreases as grain size increases. This has been shown both in tension and compression at constant strain rates over a range of temperatures ( -5 C, -1o C, -20C). The mechanical behavior of the ice is well described by the Hall-Petch relation. This thesis presents the results of a study to examine the effect of a bimodal grain size distribution on the compressive strength of equiaxed randomly oriented polycrystalline ice Ih. Laboratory prepared specimens of right circular ice consisting of different amounts of large (5.5 mm) and small(2.0 mm) grains by volume (75%/25L%, 50%/50%, 25%75%) were tested at -10 C in uniaxial unconfined compression. Tests were conducted at two strain rates, 0.00001/S and 0.001/s. Building on the results of Cannon (1985), this work establishes the law of mixtures for the compressive strength of a specimen composed of a bimodal mix of grains. First hypotheisized by Lee(1985), the law of mixtures states that the strength of a bimodal specimen is linearly dependent on the volume fraction of large and small grains. A single significant grain size may be used to charcterize the mechanical behavior of the specimen. Two possible candidates of a significant grain size are examined, one derived from the use of the Hall-Petch relation and the second being the average of the two grain sizes. Results show the use of the average is more expedient with little loss in accuracy.

Effect of Grain Size on the Internal Fracturing of Polycrystalline Ice

Effect of Grain Size on the Internal Fracturing of Polycrystalline Ice
Author: David M. Cole
Publisher:
Total Pages: 92
Release: 1986
Genre: Acoustic emission
ISBN:

This work presents the results of a study to examine the effects of grain size of internal microfractures in polycrystalline ice. Laboratory-prepared specimens were tested under uniaxial, constant-load creep conditions at -5 C. Grain size ranged from 1.5 to 6.0 mm. This range of grain size, under an initial creep stress of 2.0 MPa, led to a significant change in the character of deformation. The finest-grained material displayed no internal cracking and typically experienced strains of 10 to the minus 2nd power at the minimum creep rate epsilon. The coarse-grained material experienced severe cracking and a drop in the strain at epsilon min to approximately 4x10 to the minus 3rd power. Extensive post-test optical analysis allowed estimation of the size distribution and number of microcracks in the tested material. These data led to the development of a relationship between the average crack size and the average grain size. Additionally, the crack size distribution, when normalized to the grain diameter, was very similar for all specimens tested. The results indicate that the average crack size is approximately one-half the average grain diameter over the stated grain size range. A dislocation pileup model is found to adequately predict the onset of internal cracking. The work employed acoustic emission techniques to monitor the fracturing rate occurred. Other topics covered in this report include creep behavior, crack healing, the effect of stress level on fracture size and the orientation of cracked grains. Theoretical aspects of the grain size effect on material behavior are also given.