Research of R/V “Akademik Tryoshnikov” hull structures response to ice actions during the first stage of the expedition “Transarktika-2019”

Abstract

At present, oil-producing offshore structures, as well as transport vessels transporting oil products extracted in the seas of the Russian Arctic are equipped with ice load monitoring systems (ILMS) to prevent environmental disasters. The ice-resistant self-propelled platform (IRSPP) that is under construction now, according to the design should be equipped with this system. First of all this system is the main system for ensuring the platform’s safety in ice conditions, and secondly makes the platform’s hull a unique tool for solving a wide range of tasks to study the effects of ice on any construction.The main goal of the research during the expedition “Transarktika-2019” was to obtain the necessary data for the development of an ice load monitoring system of the constructing IRSPP “North Pole” and testing the prototype of the ILMS at long vessel’s drift in ice.The measurements of stresses in the hull structures of the R/V “Akademik Tryoshnikov” were carried out during impacts on ice ridges and during ice compressions.The standard ship ice load monitoring system (SILMS) of the R/V “Akademik Tryoshnikov” and strain gauges additionally installed on the frames and a shell plating in the middle part of the hull were used to perform the measurements.The analysis of the obtained data showed that the maximal loads on the hull occurred during the forcing of ice ridges but the level of maximum stresses was not a danger to the hull.Compressions during the drift did not have a strong effect on the ship’s hull. The data obtained made it possible to identify a number of features for the operation of ILMS in similar conditions.Based on the results of the expedition research, recommendations for the design of the architecture of the ILMS for IRSPP were issued. The results of further analysis of the obtained materials will be used in the development of data processing algorithms for ILMS for IRSPP, as well as for the development of the prospective programs of scientific research of deformation, fracture and other processes of various scales that occur in drifting ice during the future drifts of the IRSPP “North Pole”.The authors have no competing interests.