Numerical Simulation Study on Ice–Water–Ship Interaction Based on FEM-SPH Adaptive Coupling Algorithm

Abstract

To address the impact of layered ice and seawater on polar vessels navigating in icy waters, this study employs a coupled finite element method (FEM) and smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) algorithm to simulate the collision dynamics between the bow and stern of a designated icebreaker and the ice layers. The foundational principles and deployment strategies of the coupling algorithm have been meticulously delineated, with a subsequent simulation conducted to model the trajectory of icebreakers navigating through stratified ice conditions. The ice load on the hull, the movement of broken ice bodies, and the temporal variation of ice resistance during collision were analyzed. The method’s applicability and precision were substantiated through a comparative analysis between the simulated ice resistance outcomes and the ice load estimations derived from the Lindqvist formula. Finally, the differences between the bow and stern icebreaking methods were compared. The research findings indicate that the coupling algorithm demonstrates high precision in simulating the navigation of icebreakers under layered ice conditions, aligning with actual scenarios. This provides a solid foundation for further exploration of the ice load on polar vessels. Furthermore, at equivalent speeds and ice thicknesses, stern icebreaking was observed to induce greater oscillations in ice load and yield a higher mean resistance compared to bow icebreaking.