The EG/AD/S model ice, originally developed by Timco (1986), was selected as the primary model ice material for the newly built MOERI Ice Model Basin in Korea. However the existence of sugar component in the EG/AD/S mixture may cause a serious maintenance problem as described in some references. This study focuses on the tests of mechanical properties of EG/AD/S and EG/AD model ice. In order to understand the influence of sugar in the original EG/AD/S model ice and to find a possible substitute for sugar, a series of tests with EG/AD model ice were performed and results were compared to those of EG/AD/S model ice. The relatively large size of the MOERI Ice Model Basin made it difficult to control the initial strength of model ice and it took a much longer time to achieve the target strength. In order to obtain lower strength and stiffness for the model ice, the amount of chemical additives may be varied to achieve the desired strength level. This paper is a preliminary study aimed at seeking a possible substitute to the original EG/AD/S model ice for utilization in a large scale ice tank. To understand the influence of sugar in the original EG/AD/S model ice, the mechanical properties of EG/AD/S and EG/AD model ice, such as flexural strength, compressive strength and elastic modulus are tested in the laboratory condition and are compared to each other. The warm-up procedure seems to be an important factor to reduce ice strength in the tests and is discussed in detail.
Full-scale field measurements are important for construction of Arctic ships and offshore structures, however, the full-scale tests in icecovered sea are usually very expensive and difficult. Model tests in a refrigerated ice model basin may substitute for full-scale field tests.
