Temperature Effect on the Relationship between Flexural Strength and Compressive Strength of Ice

The practical usage of ice has increased significantly in recent times, as it is a readily available material utilized in various applications, such as temporary constructions and permanent hydraulic structures. Consequently, there is a growing practical interest in developing models that can accurately compute the flexural strength of ice based on its compressive strength. Following the testing procedure recommended by UNI EN 196 for cement-based mortars, three-point bending, and compression tests were conducted on 40 mm × 40 mm × 160 mm ice prisms, specifically prepared under different temperature conditions. Through these tests, the ratio between flexural and compressive strengths of ice was determined. As the effect of temperature on ice is comparable with that of water/binder ratio on cement-based mortars, the flexural/compressive strength ratio of ice also depends on the frozen temperature.