A MODIFIED REVERSED DIRECT-STRESS DEVICE

A device for uniaxial direct stress testing of ice samples is describe d. Based on the original Reversed Direct-Stress (RDS) device designed by Cole and Gould (1989), this device uses most of the original compon ents with a few modifications. Primarily, the modified device utilizes a rectangular end cap to apply uniaxial stress to square plate-based test geometries rather than the core-based specimens of the original. Details of the new end caps, as well as a description of the bonding t echnique developed for attaching the specimen to them, are discussed. Also included are some preliminary uniaxial stress test results obtain ed from tensile strength experiments on saline ice.