Suggestion of a design load equation for ice-ship impacts

ABSTRACTIn this paper, a method to estimate ice loads as a function of the buttock angle of an icebreaker is presented with respect to polycrystalline freshwater ice. Ice model tests for different buttock angles and impact velocities are carried out to investigate ice pressure loads and tendencies of ice pressure loads in terms of failure modes. Experimental devices were fabricated with an idealized icebreaker bow shape, and medium-scale ice specimens were used. A dry-drop machine with a freefall system was used, and four pressure sensors were installed at the bottom to estimate ice pressure loads. An estimation equation was suggested on the basis of the test results. We analyzed the estimation equation for design ice loads of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) classification rules. We suggest an estimation equation considering the relation between ice load, buttock angle, and velocity by modifying the equations given in the IACS classification rules