This paper presents possible models for brittle compressive failure of
ice based on the formation and growth of wing cracks. The limitations
of each model are discussed, along with the implications of the model
's respective functionality. Those results which are available in the
literature are discussed in the light of the models. It is shown that
none of the existing models describes the available data completely. R
ecent attempts to describe brittle failure in ice have concentrated on
the Wing Crack model put forward by Ashby and Hallam, proposing that
failure arises from the stable propagation of such wing cracks. Howeve
r, at least two other possibilities must be considered. One is that wi
ng cracks may indeed cause failure, but by an unstable propagation mec
hanism. The second is that rather than wing cracks causing the failure
, the initiation of new cracks into the aggregate may give rise to a c
atastrophic reduction in stress. Given the failure of any of the model
s to provide good fits to the available data under the three test cond
itions, and their incorrect functionality for at least one of those te
st conditions, it is concluded that a model of the brittle compressive
failure of ice that is based on wing cracks is inherently incorrect.
New models or descriptions of the failure process must be found.