Relationship between flexural strength and compressive strength in concrete and ice

Ice is a locally available material in cold regions, where it is used in temporary constructions and permanent hydraulic structures. Thus, it is of practical interest the introduction of a model capable of computing the flexural strength of ice as function of its compressive strength. Accordingly, three point bending test and compression test have been performed for the first time on the same ice prism (40 × 40 × 160 mm³). In accordance with the testing procedure suggested by UNI EN 196 for cement-based mortars, compression loads are applied on the two halves of the specimens previously broken in bending. In this way, the ratio between the modulus of rupture and the compressive strength of ice can be measured. As a result, although the specific strengths of cement-based materials are higher than those of ice, the flexural/compressive strength ratio of ice is larger than that obtained in normal strength mortar.