Author(s): Tao Yu; Shifeng Ding; Haoran Zhu; Chi Chen; Yao Zhao; Chuangchuang Cai; Chao Liu; Jinwei Wang; Li Zhou
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: Polar ship; Ice–propeller collision; Ice force; Dynamic load spectrum
Abstract: This study investigates the dynamic response of ice–propeller collisions in an ice–water environment. The work aims to clarify the transient dynamic characteristics and load amplification mechanisms that are not well understood in existing studies. A coupled CEM–ALE numerical framework is employed to simulate ice fracture and fluid–structure interaction during the collision process. A scaled ice–propeller model is established to analyze transient acceleration, ice-induced loads, and blade stress and deformation responses. The results show that the axial acceleration reaches approximately 2250 m/s² at impact, which is 45 and 32 times larger than the tangential and radial components, respectively. The ice-induced loads exhibit significant blade-to-blade variation, with the last blade experiencing about 1.5 times higher loads. The dominant frequency is approximately 36 Hz, corresponding to the blade passing frequency. In addition, stress and deformation are amplified by about 1.2 and 1.3 times due to repeated blade–ice interactions. These findings provide quantitative insight into dynamic load evolution and support the design and assessment of ice-class propellers.
Year: 2026