A Grid Technique for Measuring Ice Tunnel Deformation

Abstract
A new method for measuring ice tunnel deformation and closure is described. It includes cutting slots into a smooth vertical wall, forcing wet dyed string into the slots and freezing it in. Results of one year’s installation are given for each of 13 grids installed throughout a 366 m. ice tunnel. Two important visual observations are reported. The first is that no differential shearing was found; and the second, that heavy dirt bands that occurred throughout the tunnel appeared to have extruded into the tunnel opening. A possible explanation is that dirty ice is more plastic than clear ice.