The Coefficient of Friction Between Sea Ice and Various Materials Used in Offshore Structure

Abstract

When structures having inclined surfaces, such as cone type and inclined pile structures, are constructed in coastal and offshore cold regions, sea ice pressure must be considered in their design. In order to estimate this ice pressure, the relationship of the coefficients of static and kinetic friction between sea ice in various conditions and construction materials must be clarified. The authors have been conducting, for four years, coefficient of friction experiments between sea ice and various commonly used offshore construction materials such as concrete and steel. These coefficients have been found to be affected by the following: i) relative velocity ii) sea ice temperature iii) surface roughness of construction material They have been found to be relatively unaffected by the following: i) contact area ii) vertical stress iii) growth direction of sea ice iv) water in the sea ice interface