Quantitative Analysis of the Geometrically Representative Volume Element of the Yellow River’s Granular Ice Microstructure during the Freezing Period

Abstract

As a naturally polycrystalline material, Yellow River ice exhibits complex mechanical properties that are closely related to its internal microstructure. To study the micromechanical properties of this ice, the geometrically representative volume element (RVE) and a method for determining it are proposed. By observing and quantifying trends in the microstructural characteristics of the granular ice, a micro-numerical model of Yellow River ice is established. Based on the calculations and analyses of randomness and similarity across model samples, the dimensions of a geometric RVE of granular ice in the Yellow River are quantitatively determined. The research shows that the geometric representation of Yellow River granular ice is 20–24 times larger than the average grain of Yellow River granular ice. These results provide a technique to accurately study, at a microscopic level, the relationship between the material properties of each phase and their macromechanical response. It also provides a theoretical basis for studying the fracture failure mechanism of Yellow River ice at multiple scales.