Author(s): Chenzhuo Li; Xiaolu Yi; Jiameng Wu; Jianqiao Sun; Baoyu Ni
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: Side-crushing; Level ice; Ice load; ALE method; Ship-ice interaction
Abstract: In harsh polar environments, sustained side-crushing loads exert a significant impact on hull structural stability when a ship is beset in level ice. This study aims to comprehensively reveal the variation laws and distribution characteristics of these critical loads. Targeting typical ice-beset accident scenarios, a ship-level ice-water multi-medium coupling numerical model is established based on the Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) method to accurately simulate the continuous side-crushing process. The model's validity is verified by comparing the simulated ice failure modes and load distribution results with reference model tests. Furthermore, the specific influence of the fluid medium on level ice failure is investigated, and parametric studies are conducted to systematically analyze the effects of interaction angle, crushing speed, and ice thickness on side-crushing loads. The proposed numerical method effectively replicates the experimental process. The findings preliminarily reveal the mechanical response mechanisms of side-crushing and the nonlinear distribution patterns of ice loads, thereby providing a reliable theoretical basis for the structural design and safety assessment of polar ships.
Year: 2026