Influence of the Shape of a Submarine Vessel on the Ice Breaking Capacity of Flexural-Gravity Waves

Abstract

The severe climatic conditions of the Arctic Regions impose great constraints on traditional methods of hydrocarbon extraction. That is why underwater technologies used for raw material extraction and handling are very promising. The influential factor for the safe operation of an submarine vessel (SV) during under-ice navigation is breaking the surface through the ice cover. The traditional method of coming to the surface does not always apply because of the difficult and dangerous maneuvering and ice partial depth of the broken ice. In fact, the load that arises in the ice moves generates a system of progressive flexural-gravity waves (FGW). In case the waves are intensive to a certain extent, the ice of heavy thickness can destruct. The paper informs on an experimental study of FGW ice-breaking capacity generated due to SV of different projects running. The experiments were conducted in an ice tank. The ice destruction efficiency is determined using the ice-breaking criterion. The authors conclude that the principal factor affecting the ice-breaking capacity is not the displacement of water, but a fineness ratio of a submarine ship, as well as a cross-section ship shape. The subject of the influence of the vessel depth on FGW characteristics is explored.