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On fracture mechanics in lifting an ice sheet

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Abstract

The penetration of a wedge-like tool into an ice sheet at the interface with its substrate may develop a semi-elliptic interfacial crack. The Griffith energy-balance concept is employed to determine the critical conditions for interfacial crack propagation. The results show that an interfacial crack of any semi-elliptic shape tends to propagate in a stable manner and change the shape to a critical shape at which the propagation becomes unstable. The interfacial crack propagation may be interrupted by transverse fractures in the ice sheet.

Résumé

En faisant pénétrer un outil en forme de coin à l'interface entre un film de glace et le substrat sur lequel il est déposé sur une épaisseur uniforme, il peut se développer dans cet interface une fissure semi-elliptique.

On fait appel au concept d'équilibre énergétique de Griffith afin de déterminer les conditions critiques pour que se propage la fissure.

Les résultats démontrent que, quelle que soit sa forme, une fissure interfaciale semi-elliptique tend à se propager de manière stable, et à atteindre une forme critique pour laquelle la propagation devient instable.

Des ruptures transversales dans le film de glace peuvent avoir pour effet d'interrompre la propagation de la fissure.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Aerospace and mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA

    C. H. Liu & L. H. N. Lee

Authors
  1. C. H. Liu
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  2. L. H. N. Lee
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Liu, C.H., Lee, L.H.N. On fracture mechanics in lifting an ice sheet. Int J Fract 28, 189–197 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00018492

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00018492

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