Estimating ice forces on ice control structures using a novel strain gauge monitoring system

Ice jams pose significant risks to riverine communities and infrastructure. Ice control structures (ICS) help mitigate these events, yet their design remains largely empirical due to limited field data on ice forces. This study presents a novel strain-gauge monitoring system developed to estimate ice forces on ICS. The system was deployed at the Sartigan Dam (Chaudière River, Quebec) during winter 2023–2024. Using a laboratory-calibrated load–deformation relationship and a numerical model, field ice forces were quantified. Four major events were recorded: three thermal expansion events generating forces between 78.75 and 87.75 kN/m, and one dynamic event peaking at 123 kN. Comparison with design guidelines showed that empirical methods developed for dam design and those developed for offshore structures (ISO 19906) yielded reasonable estimates of static loads and both CSA S6-19 and ISO 19906 guidelines provided reasonable estimates of dynamic loads.