Abstract: In order to describe the discrete nature of sea ice at different scales, sea ice discrete element models have been developed since 1980s. In this study, three scales of sea ice are divided as geophysical scale (~100km), floe scale (~10km) and structure scale (1m~100m). On each scale, the discrete distribution and dynamic process from continuous to discrete state of sea ice are presented. Sea ice discrete element models in terms of blocks, disks and particles are introduced, and their application in dynamic characteristics of sea ice in polar regions, simulation of sea ice rafting and ridging and the interaction with wave, interaction between sea ice and structures, and sea ice mechanical properties modeling are analyzed. Sea ice strength due to scale effect is discussed. Finally, future studies on sea ice discrete element models are suggested.

Key words: sea ice, discrete element models, scale effect