Index for estimating physical and mechanical parameters of model ice

A series of experiments on the physical and mechanical properties of ethanol model ice were conducted to determine the basis for quality control of fine grain model ice. The measured physical parameters of the model ice included the ethanol solution freezing point, air temperature profiles in an ice basin, ice temperature profiles, solution temperature profiles, unfrozen liquid in ice, and ice density. The measured mechanical parameters of the model ice were compressive strength, flexural strength, and characteristic length and strain modulus. Based on these measurements, the dominating factor influencing the physical and mechanical parameters of model ice is found to be the amount of unfrozen liquid in ice. Therefore, a new index of quality control for the physical and mechanical parameters of ice is developed. The statistical relationships of these measured physical and mechanical parameters with the new index are shown.