Abstract
ABSTRACT Compared to open water, the presence of ice floes in ice-covered water may pose additional challenges to the towing operations of offshore platforms. This paper proposes a numerical model for analyzing course stability of a gravity-based structure during towing operation in managed ice fields, considering coupled motions of tugs, towed platform, and ice floes. A discrete element method is applied to simulate interaction between drifting ice floes and structures, and verified by existing model tests. The motions of tug and towed platform are coupled through a catenary towline model. A proportional-differential controller is employed to adjust heading and lateral position of tug. The effects of main factors, such as tugs’ number, towline length, ice concentration, rudder area and controller gains on course stability are discussed through numerical case studies. The presented numerical approach is expected to provide practical guidance for towing design, and ensure safety of towing operation.
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