Two-Dimensional Deformation Patterns in Sea Ice

Abstract

Abstract The mechanical behaviour for the geometrical properties of two-dimensional deformation has been investigated. The Mohr formulation of failure, which is based on the concept of slip at the plane of weakness, is used in this study. It is shown that alteration of the shear stress τn at the plane of weakness requires self-similarity of features in deformation patterns. A general relationship between the angle of internal friction and the breaking angle of deformation patterns is derived. Using imagery data, this relationship is used to find the angle of internal friction from selected sea-ice deformation patterns. The value obtained for this angle is Φ = 15° ± 2° for deformation on a scale from 100 m to 100 km.