In-Situ Uniaxial Compression Tests of Level Ice: Part I — Ice Strength Variability Versus Length Scale

Field programs of the ice strength determination through the uniaxial compression tests were carried out on the landfast level ice both in the Van Mijenfjorden and in the Adventfjorden on Svalbard, Norway in 2004 and 2005. The ice strength was examined in relation to the different length scales. The step (horizontal distance) between the ice samples was continuously reduced in order to find out how the ice strength variability develops. The spatial variation of the physical properties of the ice such as temperature, salinity, density has been measured. The typical ice strength variability for the areas larger than 40 m2 is found about 20–30 % for the vertical ice cores of the certain depth from the ice cover surface. For the horizontal ones it is slightly less about 10–20 %.