Numerical simulation of level ice–structure interaction using damage-based erosion model

Abstract

In this study, a numerical analysis technique was developed to simulate the collision between level ice and a rigid structure. The traditional Drucker–Prager plasticity model was combined with damage mechanics to simulate the material behavior of ice and linked with the element erosion technique to analyze the fracture behavior of level ice colliding with the structure. To consider the fluid force acting on broken ice flakes, both hydrostatic pressure and drag force were considered. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed technique, a numerical analysis of the four-point bending test was performed, and the results were compared with the experimental results obtained by the in situ bending test. The proposed analysis technique was applied to the level ice–structure interaction problem, and the ice resistance experienced by the moving structure was numerically calculated. The ice resistances acting on the rigid structure under several different forward speeds were obtained and compared with the model test results. Moreover, the level ice fracture pattern, which depended on the forward speed of the structure, was investigated.