About these ice forces there exist an extraordinary uncertainty between the predictions of scientists around the world. Such predictions scatter for identical conditions by a factor of 10 to 15.

Recent findings from several full scale measurements indicate that ice forces on vertical structures are indeed 10 times smaller than they have been used for their design. This could mean, that coastal structures and bridge piers are significantly over-designed. 

The overall objective of the project was to prove the validity of lower ice forces, and to have the results accepted by authorities and users, and ultimately incorporated into an EUROCODE. This was successfully achieved by research work of technically and scientifically highest standard without leaving any doubts in the results.

In order to achieve this goal, the following research program was executed:

• Evaluation of existing ice force prediction methods, including theoretical ice force models and identification of possible reasons for the wide scatter of predicted ice forces.

• Full scale measurements of forces caused by level ice and ridges at an out-of-use lighthouse  in the northern Gulf of Bothnia (Baltic Sea) by load cells mounted in panels installed at the lighthouse's basement at different pressure areas. This includes accurate and complete characterisation of ice features (level ice and ridges) interacting with the lighthouse. In this conjunction the fracture toughness of level ice, the strength of consolidated and unconsolidated parts of ridges and the documentation of the ice failure process are obtained.

• Development of new theoretical ice force models on the basis of the experimental results. Special emphasis will be dedicated to fracture mechanics and fracture characterisation of the complex systems generated by the repeated fracture as well as to constitutive modelling of ice rubble in pressure ridges and its progressive failure modes.

• This will yield recommendations of ice forces on vertical structures from level ice and ridges which will be elaborated in consultation with the classification societies.

The features that distinguish the present research project from previous work are:

• More sophisticated determination of the level ice properties by laboratory tests on compressive strength, tensile strength, E-modulus and fracture toughness, The latter one is of great importance for formulation of theoretical prediction models.

• In-situ determination of the compressive strength of the consolidated layer of pressure ridges as well as the shear strength of unconsolidated ridge material (broken ice). This has never been done before.

• Close-up measurement of ice thickness (level ice as well as ridges) in front of the lighthouse.

• Determination of the ice failure process when interacting with the lighthouse.

• Determination of the ice thickness effect on the ice forces by a special field test apparatus.

• Determination of the effect of non simultaneous failure of the ice when interacting with the lighthouse by using 10 force measuring panels (instead of 3 to 5 as being used in previous full scale measurements).

The achievements of the research project contributed to

• a fundamental insight into the problem of ice structure interaction,
• ice force prediction models based on most extensive field and laboratory studies,
• the elucidation of the controversy on ice forces,
• validation of low ice force levels for the case of ice breaking against vertical structures.

The results 

• provided governmental authorities and classification societies with substantial information on ice forces on coastal, offshore and structures on inland waters (estuaries, rivers, lakes),
• provided the basis for the development of EUROCODES for ice forces,
• drastically reduced the costs for structures to withstand ice loads in future designs,
• opened new possibilities for technical and scientific developments.

The LOLEIF project combined the efforts of experts of six European countries (Finland, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom) working together for three years with substantial resources in collaboration with specialists from Canada, Russia and the USA.