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Systematic knowledge of the mechanical properties of ice is a fundamental requirement for the solution of a wide range of problems in the earth sciences and engineering. Past research has been characterized by specialized studies, involving a variety of motivations and scientific disciplines, without much overall coordination. When the results of this research are synthesized, a reasonably coherent picture emerges, but there are major gaps in knowledge. From the deduced behavior of ice, and from informed speculation where data are lacking, a coherent plan for future research can be developed. This report summarizes existing knowledge and proposes experiments and test programs for a new research thrust. The studies that are proposed can be expected to yield significant benefits in glacier studies, ice engineering, and the mechanics of frozen ground.

One of the most urgent problems in the study of the mechanical properties of polycrystalline ice is to standardise the properties of ice samples made in the laboratory. With this in mind, this paper describes a technique for preparing fine grained, homogeneous specimens with random c-axis orientations. Specimens are optically clear, bubble free and have a density of 0.917 ± 0.005 Mg m3. Two types of uniaxial compression apparatus are also described; these are used for the measurement of ice strains to ∼6% and to more than 10%, respectively.