Reinforcing river and lake ice covers to maintain their load-bearing capacity in a warming climate

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Canada has experienced an annual average surface air temperature increase of 1.5°C from 1950-2010. Stronger warming trends have been found for the north and west of Canada, with the greatest warming occurring in winter and spring. Warmer winters lead to less thickening and reduced structural competence of river and lake ice covers which are so vital in Canada's north for winter road crossings and construction platforms on rivers and lakes. One method of maintaining and increasing ice cover strength, which the ice engineering company NOR-EX wishes to investigate, along with the University of Saskatchewan's Global Institute for Water Security, is integrating reinforcing materials into the ice during the freezing period. Using computer models they wish to determine the load-bearing capacity of composite materials, where freshwater ice is the primary matrix and environmental-friendly materials are the secondary, reinforcing matrix. Guidance in the material types and design will help NOR-EX propose new methods to clients for extending the duration of ice cover competency and maintaining their competitiveness in load-bearing ice cover design.