Practical experience reveals that the physical and mechanical properties of the ice cover can strongly depend on various external factors with using traditional methods of increasing ice resistance. In this connection, the task of increasing the bearing capacity of ice by using alternative methods, for example, the introduction of reinforcing elements into the ice is becoming very relevant. The aim of the work was experimental and numerical study of stress-strain state of ice samples reinforced by surface reinforcing frame. The results of experiments on loading the samples were compared to the numerical results of calculations of ANSYS.
In winter period in the case of absence of bridge structures or when the arrangement of ferry crossings is impossible the ice crossings arrange when the ice cover of required thickness is formed on the water barriers. If the thickness of the ice cover is not sufficient for the safe operation of the crossing, traditional methods of increasing of ice bearing capacity can be used, such as ice freezing from below, ice frosting from above, or ice strengthening with a wooden cover (Common house needs 218.010–1998). Practical experience reveals that the physical and mechanical properties of the ice cover, strengthened by these methods can strongly depend on various external factors (ambient temperature and presence of snow and wind when freezing). Ice, produced by the accelerated sprinkling method is often a firn mass capable of adhering to the wheels of vehicles and breaking away from the natural ice. This method is effective only for the ice cover of a certain thicknesses, and it increases the probability of formation of deep cracks in the ice. In this connection, the task of increasing the bearing capacity of ice by using alternative methods, for example, the introduction of reinforcing elements into the ice is becoming very relevant.
Yakimenko (2015) describes experimental studies on the "surface reinforcement" of ice crossings by geosynthetic materials. Surface reinforcement by freezing the steel meshes was proposed by Nikitin (2015). A number of solutions are known in which steel elements are frozen to increase the bearing capacity in the ice cover (Kostenko, 2005; Kozin, 2003; Kozin, 2011; Kozin, 2012). The method of surface reinforcement by introducing the welded steel frames into the relatively thin ice cover of 0.3–0.4 m thick can actually be sufficiently promising.
