Mechanical properties of glacier ice and ice-rock composite with different interface dip angles
QIN Changbing1, 2*, WANG Qiangdong1, LI Siyu3
(1. School of Civil Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, China; 2. State Key Laboratory of Safety and Resilience
of Civil Engineering in Mountain Area, Chongqing 400045, China; 3. Chongqing Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources, Chongqing 401120, China)
Abstract：Global warming is driving frequent glacial and ice-rock avalanches on the Tibetan Plateau, posing severe threats to lives and property. To understand the underlying mechanics, this study investigated the mechanical properties of glacier ice and the effect of interface dip angle on ice-rock composites through laboratory tests. The main findings are as follows. (1) The strength of glacier ice demonstrates a significant coupling effect between temperature and confining pressure, decreasing linearly with increasing temperature and increasing linearly with rising confining pressure. (2) The mechanical behavior of ice-rock composites is influenced by the combined effects of temperature, confining pressure, and interface dip angle. As confining pressure increases from 0 to 0.5 MPa, the critical dip angle shifts from 30° to 45°. Moreover, when the temperature reaches T≥－10 ℃, the peak strength of the composites decreases significantly. (3) Under zero confining pressure, the failure mode transitions from ice bulging to composite ice-rock failure, and ultimately to interfacial slip as the dip angle increases. At confining pressures above 0.5 MPa, the failure mode gradually reverts to ice bulging. However, this effect of confining pressure diminishes when temperatures rise above －10 ℃, where interfacial slip becomes the predominant failure mode. This study presents the first systematic triaxial test investigation revealing the significant impact of interface dip angle on the overall mechanical performance of ice-rock composites, providing crucial experimental evidence for understanding the failure mechanics of ice-rock complexes in avalanche disasters.
覃长兵1，2*，王强东1，李思宇3. 冰川冰及不同界面倾角冰–岩组合体力学特性试验研究[J]. 岩石力学与工程学报, 2026, 45(S1): 31-46.
QIN Changbing1, 2*, WANG Qiangdong1, LI Siyu3. Mechanical properties of glacier ice and ice-rock composite with different interface dip angles. , 2026, 45(S1): 31-46.
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2026, Vol. 45 
