Author(s): Jiayu Huang; Yan Huang
Linked Author(s): Yan Huang
Keywords: Large-diameter OWT; Fluid–structure interaction; Cohesive element method; Crushed ice accumulation; Ice load
Abstract: To investigate the load response characteristics of ice-resistant structures for large-diameter offshore wind turbine (OWT) under level ice actions, a numerical model for structure–level ice interaction was developed in this study by combining the cohesive element method (CEM) with the S-ALE fluid–structure interaction approach, with the effects of water explicitly taken into account. The numerical model was validated through comparison with model test results. The results show that the predicted ice load time histories, load magnitudes, and ice failure patterns are in good overall agreement with the experimental observations. On this basis, zonal statistical and comparative analyses were carried out for the total ice load, the broken ice load above the waterline, and the broken ice load below the waterline under different velocities. The results indicate that both the total ice load and the broken ice loads increase with increasing velocity. In addition, a persistent broken ice accumulation zone is more likely to form in front of the structure above the waterline, and the broken ice load above the waterline remains consistently higher than that below the waterline.
Year: 2026