Medium scale ice–structure interaction

A medium scale ice-interaction experiment has been conducted on Svalbard, Norway. Four naturally grown sea ice sheets were towed towards a 0.665 m wide cylindrical structure until the ice failed (Fmax = 161 kN for hi = 0.16 m). In this paper two of these tests are analysed and the results are compared with theories of stress distribution in elastic solids. A numerical model has been developed and calibrated to the in-situ tests. The stress distribution and contact pressure are considered, with special focus on the stress level of the ice as it approaches the point of failure. The results show that the tensile tangential stress that occurs as a result of the shape of the structure are an important factor in limiting the force exerted by the ice. Further, a sensitivity analysis of the numerical model reveals that the friction coefficient between the structure and the ice may be important for the ice loads because low sliding resistance will create tensile stresses and thus lower the ice force.