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An Engineering Equation for Thermal Ice Loads on Dams

Abstract

This research project was jointly financed through the project Dam Safety in a Holistic Perspective (DHSP) and the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE). The goal was to derive an engineering-friendly assessment of thermal ice loads on dams based on an energy-conserving
ice growth model and published relationships between ice temperature changes and compressive stress. This report presents both a probabilistic and a deterministic approach to the problem and presents associated design solution. Key results include a physically-based justification for the
shape of the ice load equation, and the presentation of an ice load probability distribution that accounts for ice-free years. It is suggested that further improvements to ice load predictions consider regional differences of the snow cover. Also, the data basis of measured thermal ice loads should be
improved in Norway.
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Category

Research report

Language

English

Author(s)

Affiliation

  • SINTEF Narvik

Year

2025

Publisher

SINTEF Narvik AS

Issue

2025:00427

ISBN

9788214074871

View this publication at Norwegian Research Information Repository