Numerical modeling of ice behavior under high velocity impacts

In this work a constitutive relation for ice at high strain rates and an algorithm for its numerical integration are developed. This model is based on the Drucker–Prager plasticity criteria, which allows a different behavior in tension and in compression. In addition a failure criteria, based on pressure cut-offs, is implemented to describe the ice damage. In order to validate the constitutive model, numerical simulations were compared with experimental results, in which ice cylinders were impacted against a steel plate, allowing the measurement of the contact load. Three different numerical solvers are used in order to analyze its performance to appropriately modeling the ice behavior.