Evaluation of the Ice Load Acting on an Arctic Offshore Structure With Different Ice Drifting Angle

In this study, an evaluation method and results for ice load acting on an Arctic offshore structure with various ice drifting angles are discussed. Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering (KRISO) has conducted a research project to develop a hull form design for year-round floating type offshore structures in the Arctic condition with dynamic positioning and mooring system. Six cooperating organizations participated in the project: Samsung Heavy Industry, Korean Register, Pusan National University, Korea Maritime & Ocean University, Dong-Eui University, and Inha Technical College. In the design stage of an Arctic offshore structure, ice load consideration is the key component for the safety and reliability analysis. However, there is no generally used tool for evaluation of ice load acting on an Arctic offshore structures. In this study, ice loads acting on an Arctic FPSO in managed ice conditions with various ice drifting angles are examined by experimental methodology. Dramatic mean value changes in ice load with different ice drifting angles are observed in the model test. This experimental ice load evaluation method can be applied to the other types of offshore structure which might operate in sea ice condition.