Ice Induced Shock Response Experiments

Abstract

As novel and innovative design concepts are developed for Arctic commodity transport, relevant ice-structure interaction scenarios and corresponding ice load models will be pivotal for direct design practices and the development of new codes and standards. For example, the parallel midbody region of membrane-type liquid natural gas carriers (LNGC) is comprised of the hull structure and delicate mastic materials, integral to the cargo containment systems (CCS). For Arctic LNGCs, this type of hull geometry can be susceptible to flat-on flat ice impacts. The current ice-structure interaction models which form the basis of classification requirements do not explicitly consider this scenario. However, these impacts can potentially induce a shock response beyond the hull structure and through the CCS which can compromise the integrity of the CCS and may result in loss of cargo or other extreme consequences. Preliminary numerical simulations of ice floe impacts on ice-class LNGC hull structures have shown this type of shock response as a result of flat-on-flat collisions. This paper aims to investigate the nature of flat-on-flat ice collisions and subsequent structural response through controlled physical experiments and further analyzed thought explicit dynamic finite element analysis.