Abstract
Lightweight ice-class vessels offer the possibility of increasing the payload capacity while making them comparable in energy consumption with non-ice-class vessels during ice-free periods. We approach the development of a lightweight hull by dividing ice–hull interactions into quasi-static loading and impact loading phases. Then, investigative outcomes of lightweight concepts for each loading phase may be combined to develop a lightweight ice-going hull. In this study, we focus on the quasi-static loading phase characteristic of thin first-year ice in inland waterways. We investigate metal grillages, sandwich structures and stiffened sandwich structures parametrically using the finite element method. The model is validated using previous experimental studies. In total over 2000 cases are investigated for strength and stiffness with respect to mass. The stiffened sandwich was found to be the most favorable concept that offered both a light weight as well as high gross tonnage. Further, significant parameters and their interactions and material differences for the three structural concepts were investigated and their trends discussed. The outcomes result in the creation of a viable pool of lightweight variants that fulfill the quasi-static loading phase. Together with outcomes from the impact loading phase, a lightweight ice-going hull may be developed.
Highlights
Navigation in ice-covered inland waterways is important from an economic and mobility standpoint
The sandwich panels have the highest strength to mass ratio and are on average ~10 times lighter than metal grillage and
S6 denotes there is no significant difference between dense core materials for sandwich structures
Summary
Navigation in ice-covered inland waterways is important from an economic and mobility standpoint. The current state of the art for designing ice-class vessels relies on rule-based design which recommends steel as the hull material [1–3]. In comparison with non-ice inland-waterway vessels, the ice-classed vessels’ larger scantlings put them at a disadvantage in terms of energy consumption and payload during non-ice periods. Several articles in research can be found towards the reduction of steel hull weight. The larger capacity could be the basis for reducing the weight by decreasing the scantlings for a lower probability of exceedance of ice thickness. Abraham [7] study on different stiffener cross-sections showed flat bar stiffeners to be most weight-efficient. Avellan [8] investigation showed transversely stiffened hulls are more weight-efficient in comparison to longitudinally stiffened hulls. A thorough parametric study would help identify sensitive parameters and lead to a more efficient conventional design
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