Applications of coupling elements methodology in ice interaction simulations

Abstract

The paper investigates the capabilities of modern numerical simulation methods for ice interaction of ships moving in level ice sheet. This approach could possibly yield a more accurate and clear picture of this process, enabling simulations of a wide range of related phenomena with little or no full-scale measurement data available. Materials and methods. To simulate ice failure process, this paper follows the finite element method and coupling element methodology. Main results. The bending of a cantilever rectangular ice sample has been numerically simulated, with investigation of its cracking and breaking behavior by means of pre-developed models. It has also been studied how ice resistance of advanced ice-breaking vessels depends on the angles between their velocity vectors and their CLs. The results of this study made it possible to assess the influence of heading angle on ice resistance. The study also described characteristic forms of ice failure and the broken ice behavior at different ship speeds and explored various methods for water medium consideration in terms of their accuracy and computer resources required. It was established that water medium effect upon ship movement in the conditions discussed in this paper can be taken into account as per a simplified procedure. Conclusion. This paper demonstrates and confirms the potential of numerical models in ice interaction simulations for ships and offshore platforms to estimate their ice performance and ice strength.

Keywords

• ice sample
• coupling elements
• finite element method
• failure
• ice resistance
• ice failure simulation