Ice Arch 2006

The 2006 ice arch is a reinforced cast arch, a design which has only been attempted once before. Early in January, a group of students built seven plywood forms which were connected to form the arch. Over the next two weeks, several hardy students took turns filling the arch with water. In order to guarantee strength and reduce the danger of cracking, the arch was only filled an inch or two at a time.

Once the arch was solid, the forms were removed, and the arch allowed to sit for a week in the cold to thermally stabilize. A crane was brought in, which lifted the arch using two pick points connected to the rebar skeleton. The arch was then set upright.

The ice arch team would like to thank the students and faculty whose efforts made the 2006 ice arch possible.