The dynamic ice loads on conical structures

Abstract

Two series of model tests were performed to observe the dynamic ice loads on conical structures. The variable testing parameters include the water line diameter of the model cone and ice parameters. During small water line diameter tests, two-time breaking is found to be the typical failure of ice before steep conical structure. This failure process is observed to be controlled by other factors, as ice speed and the D/h ratio. During big water line diameter tests, the ice sheet failed non-simultaneously around the conical surface. As an analyzing result, a new dimensionless parameter defined as the impact factor Im was established. It was found that the l/h ratio decreases with the increase of Im in a quadratic relationship. The global ice force was found increasing with lower D/h ratio, but reducing with higher D/h ratio and the subsequent number of independent zones.