Compressive behaviours of double skin composite walls at low temperatures relevant to the arctic environment

Abstract

Double skin composite (DSC) ice-resistant walls have been proposed for the Arctic oil platforms. This paper makes efforts to study the compressive behaviours of DSC walls at low temperatures of −80 °C–20 °C. Seven DSC walls were tested at low temperatures to investigate the influences of different parameters on their compressive behaviours that included low temperature levels, thickness of steel faceplate, and spacing of connectors. The compressive behaviours of the DSC wall at low temperatures were reported and discussed in terms of failure mode, compressive force versus shortening behaviours, and load-strain behaviours. The influences of different parameters on compressive behaviours of DSC walls at low temperatures were reported and analysed. Theoretical models were developed to predict the ultimate compressive resistance of DSC walls at low temperatures. The accuracy of the developed theoretical models were checked through validations against reported seven test results.