The problem of a growing icicle

• Published in: Journal of applied mathematics and mechanics Vol. 52; no. 2; pp. 198 - 206
• Main Authors: Arutyunyan, N.Kh, Grigoryan, S.S., Naumov, V.E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 1988
• ISSN: 0021-8928; 0021-8928
• DOI: 10.1016/0021-8928(88)90135-9

One of the applications of the mechanics of growing viscoelastic bodies, associated with the determination of the stressed-deformed state and regularities in the shape formation of a growing or thawing icicle, is considered. The growth of icicles is an exceedingly complex physico-mechanical process, the detailed investigation of which runs into very considerable difficulties. A mechanical model of an icicle is proposed in this paper which enables one, in our opinion, to work out a technqiue for estimating its stressed-deformed state and to predict the time of its destruction, that is, its detachment. This model makes no pretence whatsoever to being complete and must be considered as a first approximation when solving this problem. It is quite possible that this problem will enable one to develop an approach to the solution of appropriate technological and glaciological problems.