Parameter effects on simulated ice rubbling forces on a wide sloping structure

Based on numerical simulations, this paper investigates parameter effects on the ice rubbling forces on a wide sloping structure. Ninety simulations were made with a two dimensional combined finite–discrete element method and five parameter values were varied. Two level factorial designs were used to analyze these simulation results. The main interest of the study was on the ice forces when there was floating ice rubble in front of the structure. The results indicated that the mean peak force on the structure depends on different parameters during different phases of the rubble formation process. Ice thickness was seen to be affecting the forces during all of these phases. Studied parameters were usually interacting with each other, thus indicating that their effects cannot be considered separately.