Effects of Moving Ice Loads on Damage to Hull Structures

近年来，北极航运急剧增加，主要是由于自然资源勘探和航运。北海航线的航运比以往任何时候都要高。商船正试图通过西北航道；例如2013年北欧猎户座号散货船的航行。水晶宁静号游轮（没有冰加固）将于2016年在西北航道巡航。北极航运活动的增加意味着北极船舶数量的增加；从而增加了船舶事故的概率。在北极作业的主要挑战之一是海冰和漂浮的冰川的意外载荷对船体结构造成的危险。

Arctic shipping has seen a dramatic increase in recent years, due mainly to natural resource exploration and shipping. Shipping through the Northern Sea Route is at a level higher than ever before. Commercial ships are attempting to move through the Northwest Passage; for example the 2013 voyage of the bulk carrierMS Nordic Orion. The cruise ship Crystal Serenity (which has no ice strengthening) will cruise through the Northwest Passage in 2016. This increase in Arctic shipping activity implies an rise in the numbers of ships present in the Arctic; thus increasing the probability of shipping accidents. One of the major challenges associated with operating in the Arctic is the danger to hull structures posed by accidental loads from sea ice and floating glacial ice. Moving loads are loads that slide along a ship's hull; instead of bouncing off after initial impact. Moving loads, in particular, have the potential to cause much greater damage to ship hulls than stationary loads. Significant risks to personnel, the environment, and ships are associated with moving ice load accident scenarios, including when an ice-strengthened ship is subject to loads greater than the design load, or when a non-ice-strengthened ship (e.g. the cruise ship Crystal Serenity) encounters any ice at all. In these situations, the level of hull damage may be significant, and the risk associated with operating in ice-infested water is very much elevated. This research program examines moving ice loads on ship hulls, and response of ship hulls to moving ice loads. These are difficult to treat simultaneously because the study of any one in particular has traditionally required oversimplification of the other. Much is understood about the mechanics of ice load development when ice impacts a “rigid” structure. Similarly, the behaviour of hull structures is well understood when acted upon by “design loads”, or simplified stationary ice loads. The behaviour of each, however, has not been shown to be independent of the other. It is the goal of this research program to study the coupled effects of ice loads and structural response. This will be achieved through a combination of laboratory experiments, numerical modeling, and analytical modeling. Some of the outcomes of this project include a better understanding of moving ice loads and their effect on hull structures. New bench-marked numerical and analytical tools for assessing moving loads on hull plates and frames will be developed. These models will be used to develop moving-load resistant ship hull designs. Also, highly qualified personnel will gain knowledge and experience with state-of-the-art techniques for the design and analysis of polar-classed ships and structures.