Full-scale ship-structure ice impact laboratory experiments: experimental apparatus and initial results

ABSTRACT

This article presents the results of three ice impacts against a stiffened panel cut from the recently decommissioned ex-HMCS IROQUOIS. The upgraded experimental apparatus (the large double-pendulum), its sensors, and experimental conditions are also presented. The apparatus consists of two pendulums, one constrains and supports an ice feature, and the other constrains and supports a ship hull grillage structure. The first ice impact had data integrity and ice cone geometry issues, and so is treated as a commissioning test. During the second impact the impact force peaked at 553.9 kN, the total impact duration was 0.055 s and the hull plating acceleration at the centre of the impacted location was a maximum of 10877 m/s². The third impact exhibited a peak force of 773.6 kN, 9691 m/s² of acceleration, and had an impact duration of 0.039 s.

KEYWORDS:

• Ship ice impact
• low ice class
• non-ice class
• Large Double Pendulum
• dynamic ice impact
• ex-HMCS IROQUOIS

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The authors graciously acknowledge the financial support from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada DND/CRD (grant number DNDPJ 520471-17) ‘Operational Capabilities of Low- and Non-ice-class Structures in Ice’ grant, and the following contributing project partners: Defence Research and Development Canada (Atlantic), Vard Marine Inc., the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), and the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Government & Labrador Provincial Government (grant nymber 5404-1984-102).