Effects of hull–ice friction coefficient on predictions of pack ice forces for moored offshore vessels

Designers and offshore operators frequently predict pack ice loading on offshore vessels by conducting scale model tests. One factor that can affect pack ice loading is the hull–ice friction coefficient. This research investigates the effect of hull–ice friction coefficients for a moored offshore vessel model and includes ice floe size and ice concentration as additional variables. A method of non-dimensional analysis is modified in order to deal with the multivariate nature of the new data. The resulting non-dimensional equation provides insight on relationships between the predicted pack ice force and the variables under investigation. The relationship between pack ice force and hull–ice friction coefficient is shown to be approximately a fourth root function, while the relationship for ice floe size, non-dimensionalised by the vessel beam, is approximately linear. The relationship between predicted pack ice force and ice concentration exists in a band bounded by cubic and sixth power curves. Applying the modified equation to the previous data sets shows the current analysis slightly improves the normalization of pack ice forces.