Model Testing of Ice Barriers Used for Reduction of Design Ice Loads

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Jochmann ◽  
Karl-Ulrich Evers ◽  
Walter L. Kuehnlein
Keyword(s):  
Bending Strength ◽  
Model Tests ◽  
Individual Model ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Drilling Rig ◽  
Design Load ◽  
Ice Load ◽  
Ice Drift ◽  
Ice Loads ◽  
Ice Model

The drilling rig Sunkar, owned and operated by Parker Drilling under contract to Agip KCO, was the first drilling rig in the North Caspian Sea. In this area sea ice may occur between November and April. The original ice protection concept of the drilling rig was based on the fact that ice loads were partly taken and/or reduced by two rows of heavy piles. As an alternative concept ice model tests for Sunkar with installed ice barriers (Ice Rubble Generators) around the rig were carried out in the Large Ice Model Basin of HSVA in order to establish the design ice loads and to prove that the design forces can be reduced significantly by using these ice barriers. The test series were carried out in 1.3 m thick level ice with a bending strength of 770 kPa. Ice drift angle, ice drift speed, spacing between the ice barriers, as well as the angle of the ice barriers were varied. The design water level simulated in the model tests was about 4 m. As maximum measured ice load values are a result of coincidental ice failure occurrences these values are much more scattered than the mean values of ice model tests. Even if an individual model test could be repeated exactly, i.e. exactly within measurable limits, the maximum load would be different. Therefore the design load needs to be obtained by using a sophisticated statistical approach. To establish the design load an extreme value distribution, a Gumbel-Probability-Distribution (GPD) for each individual model run has been applied. The ice model tests have shown that a significant ice force reduction can be achieved if the drilling rig Sunkar is protected with ice barriers. The reduction of the maximum horizontal global ice load amounts to approx. 63% when Sunkar is protected by ice barriers. The ice barriers initiate ice rubble and areas of rafted ice as well as ice accumulation between the barriers, which lead to ice bridging with a spacing of 60 to 80 m between the ice barriers. As a final result it was found that the stability of Sunkar will be sufficient under any angle of drifting ice if ice barriers are installed.

Methodology to Evaluate Sea Ice Loads for Seasonal Operations

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Thijssen ◽  
Mark Fuglem
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
Offshore Structures ◽  
Ice Thickness ◽  
Safety Level ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
Design Load ◽  
Ice Load ◽  
Ice Conditions ◽  
Design Loads ◽  
Ice Loads

Offshore structures designed for operation in regions where sea ice is present will include a sea ice load component in their environmental loading assessment. Typically ice loads of interest are for 10−2, 10−3 or 10−4 annual probability of exceedance (APE) levels, with appropriate factoring to the required safety level. The ISO 19906 standard recommends methods to determine global sea ice loads on vertical structures, where crushing is the predominant failure mode. Fitted coefficients are proposed for both Arctic and Sub-Arctic (e.g. Baltic) conditions. With the extreme ice thickness expected at the site of interest, an annual global sea ice load can be derived deterministically. Although the simplicity of the proposed relation provides quick design load estimates, it lacks accuracy because the only dependencies are structure width, ice thickness and provided coefficients; no consideration is given to site-specific sea ice conditions and the corresponding exposure. Additionally, no term is provided for including ice management in the design load basis. This paper presents a probabilistic methodology to modify the deterministic ISO 19906 relations for determining global and local first-year sea ice loads on vertical structures. The presented methodology is based on the same ice pressure data as presented in ISO 19906, but accounts better for the influence of ice exposure, ice management and site-specific sea ice data. This is especially beneficial for ice load analyses of seasonal operations where exposure to sea ice is limited, and only thinner ice is encountered. Sea ice chart data can provide site-specific model inputs such as ice thickness estimates and partial concentrations, from which corresponding global load exceedance curves are generated. Example scenarios show dependencies of design loads on season length, structural geometry and sea ice conditions. Example results are also provided, showing dependency of design loads on the number of operation days after freeze-up, providing useful information for extending the drilling season of MODUs after freeze-up occurs.

Different Ways of Modeling Ice Drift Scenarios in Basin Tests

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Haase ◽  
Peter Jochmann
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
Relative Motion ◽  
Development Project ◽  
Model Tests ◽  
Contact Forces ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Offshore Structure ◽  
Ice Drift ◽  
Ice Field ◽  
Ice Model

One known scenario from full scale sea ice investigations is a drifting managed ice field. This ice field may be driven by winds or currents or both and may eventually hit a vessel or an offshore structure. In case of a moving vessel the relative motion between vessel and ice may be determined by the vessels direction of motion or even its ambition to hold position against the drifting ice. All the above described scenarios deal with relative motions between several bodies. Along with the relative motion come the contact forces between the interacting bodies and last but not least the question of the failure of either of the bodies. As ice model tests are in general state of the art procedures to investigate the behavior of a vessel and the related loads in sea ice the question of how to model drift scenarios is of relevance here. Typically in ice model tests a drifting managed ice field is simulated by moving a model ship through a resting ice field. This paper addresses the differences in modeling the ice drift as described above and when moving the floes against a stationary vessel. For this purpose ice model tests of each kind are investigated and theoretical efforts are made to enlighten the topic. Also it is distinguished between the vessel being driven by its own propulsion system or by an external force. In summer 2011 and 2012 a comprehensive set of ice model tests was performed in the large ice tank of the Hamburg Ship Model Basin (HSVA). The tests are related to the research and development project DYPIC — Dynamic Positioning in Ice. Within the project two phases of model tests have been performed. The first phase has been documented and presented in [1] while the second phase is presented in [2]. The model setups described and analyzed in this paper all relate to tests performed within the scope of DYPIC.

Ice Loading Decrease at Life Cycle Main Stages for Fixed Offshore Structures

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valery M. Shaposhnikov ◽  
Anatolii V. Aleksandrov ◽  
Oleg E. Litonov ◽  
Viktor V. Platonov
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Offshore Structures ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Ice Load ◽  
Ice Drift ◽  
Load Monitoring ◽  
Design Values ◽  
Ice Loads ◽  
Ice Resistance ◽  
Positive Effect

At the present time design values of ice loads on fixed offshore structures are rather conservative. Conservatism of design ice loads consists in assuming the most unfavorable ice action direction and the worst ice drift speed; the most unfavorable combination of the consolidated layer thickness, ridge keel depth and ice strength; as well as supposing the ice ultimate strength value constant along the whole ice–structure contact area perimeter. With accumulation of the knowledge on ice formation failure under interaction with ice-resistant fixed platforms, the requirements contained in Rules of classification societies are reduced. For example, for the last forty years the lowering of requirements to design ice load values was equal to about four times [1]. For the last time specialists of Krylov State Research Centre have performed design and experimental studies where further tendency to decreasing design values of ice loads is traced. Ice monitoring is one of the main elements for justification of design ice load values’ decrease. Modern monitoring systems permit to warn about occurrence of a state close to a limit one, as well as to record actual ice loads. Ice load monitoring is a necessary part of accident prevention during ice-resistant structures operation. Monitoring of ice loads is a necessary part for providing safe operation of ice-resistance structures, and systematic accumulation of monitoring data for several years gives a positive effect in the form of justified decrease of static and dynamic design ice loads.

Model Tests With a Compliant Cylindrical Structure to Investigate Ice-Induced Vibrations

2016 ◽  
Vol 138 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gesa Ziemer ◽  
Karl-Ulrich Evers
Keyword(s):  
Natural Frequency ◽  
Structural Response ◽  
Model Tests ◽  
Ice Thickness ◽  
Cylindrical Structure ◽  
Ice Drift ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Dynamic Forces ◽  
Dynamic Amplification ◽  
Ice Model

A compliant cylindrical structure has been built and tested in a series of model tests in ice in the Large Ice Model Basin at HSVA. The structure's stiffness in ice plane is higher in ice drift direction than crosswise, enabling the model to vibrate in different geometrical oscillation patterns. In total, four ice sheets have been used to perform tests in different ice thickness, covering a wide range of ice drift velocities between 0.005 and 0.15 m/s in model scale. Several events of ice-induced vibrations were observed throughout the test campaign. Oscillations are found to reach different types of beginning steady states, depending on ice drift velocity and ice thickness. Dynamic amplification of structural response in ice plane as well as ratio of static and dynamic forces is highly dependent on the type of vibration. While the dynamic amplification is highest when the ice load's frequency equals the first natural frequency of the structure, the highest dynamic forces occur when the crushing frequency is an integer fraction of the natural frequency. The paper describes the design of the test setup, instrumentation and calibration, performance and analysis of conducted tests, and general findings.

Velocity Effects on Conical Structure Ice Loads

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dmitri G. Matskevitch
Keyword(s):  
Model Tests ◽  
Ice Load ◽  
Empirical Correction ◽  
Conical Structure ◽  
Ice Loads ◽  
Ice Velocity ◽  
Velocity Effect ◽  
Ice Failure ◽  
Bending Failure ◽  
Conical Structures

Existing design codes and most methods for ice load calculation for conical structures do not take velocity effects into account. They were developed as an upper bound estimate for the load from slow moving ice which fails in bending against the cone. Velocity effects can be ignored when the structure is designed for an area with slow ice movement, for example, the nearshore Beaufort Sea. Sakhalin structures will be exposed to ice moving at velocities up to about 1.5 m/sec. Model tests show that quasi-static methods may underestimate the ice load on a steep cone when the interaction velocity is that high. The present paper summarizes results of published model tests with conical structures that show a velocity effect. An empirical correction factor to the Ralston method is developed to account for the increase in cone load with ice velocity. The paper also discusses velocity effects on ice failure length and possible transition from bending failure to an alternative failure mode when the ice velocity is high.

Ice Model Tests With a Compliant Cylindrical Structure to Investigate Ice-Induced Vibrations

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gesa Ziemer ◽  
Karl-Ulrich Evers
Keyword(s):  
Natural Frequency ◽  
Structural Response ◽  
Model Tests ◽  
Ice Thickness ◽  
Cylindrical Structure ◽  
Ice Drift ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Dynamic Forces ◽  
Dynamic Amplification ◽  
Ice Model

A compliant cylindrical structure has been built and tested in a series of model tests in ice in the Large Ice Model Basin at HSVA. The structure’s stiffness in ice plane is higher in ice-drift direction than crosswise, enabling the model to vibrate in different oscillation patterns. In total, 4 ice sheets have been used to perform tests in different ice thickness, covering a wide range of ice drift velocities between 0.005 and 0.15 m/s in model scale. Several events of ice-induced vibrations were observed throughout the test campaign. Oscillations are found to reach different types of beginning steady-state, mainly depending on ice drift velocity and ice thickness. Dynamic amplification of structural response in ice plane as well as ratio of static and dynamic forces is highly dependent on the type of vibration. While the dynamic amplification is highest when the ice load’s frequency equals the first natural frequency of the structure, the highest dynamic forces occur when the crushing frequency is an integer fraction of the natural frequency. The paper describes the design of the test set-up, instrumentation and calibration, performance and analysis of conducted tests, and general findings.

DP Ice Model Test of Arctic Drillship and Polar Research Vessel

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torbjørn Hals ◽  
Nils Albert Jenssen
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Models ◽  
Offshore Structures ◽  
Model Tests ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Research Vessel ◽  
Station Keeping ◽  
Ice Drift ◽  
Ice Conditions ◽  
Ice Model

The paper presents the results from a series of ice model tests performed as part of the DYPIC (Dynamic Positioning in Ice Conditions) research program. DYPIC is a research and development project within the EU’s ERA NET MARTEC project. The major purpose of the DYPIC project is development of equipment and methods for DP Ice Model testing which allows the prediction of station keeping capability of different vessel types and offshore structures under various ice conditions. The first DYPIC model tests performed in 2011 was conducted with two significantly different vessel sizes, a 68.0000 m3 volume displacement arctic drillship and an 8.600 m3 polar research vessel. The model scale was 1/30 for the arctic drillship and 1/18.6 for the Polar Research Vessel. The model tests were performed in the ice model basin at HSVA using vessel models equipped with thruster capacity similar to full scale operation according to DP class 2 / 3 operations. The DP control system was also modified from normal open water DP operations in order to cope with the highly varying ice drift loads acting on the vessel. The test program gave data supporting the development of numerical models of ice loads from managed ice, see reference [6]. The main focus in this paper is on the station keeping performance and associated thrust utilization as a function of varying ice drift loads. The results and data collected in the first year of the DYPIC program demonstrates that DP ice model tests will be a valuable tool for evaluation of vessel performance prior to moving on to full scale arctic DP operations.

Influence of Structural Compliance and Slope Angle on Ice Loads and Dynamic Response of Conical Structures

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gesa Ziemer ◽  
Karl-Ulrich Evers ◽  
Christian Voosen
Keyword(s):  
Natural Frequency ◽  
Model Test ◽  
Slope Angle ◽  
Offshore Structures ◽  
Model Tests ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Worst Case ◽  
Ice Load ◽  
Ice Loads ◽  
Conical Structures

Model tests in ice have been conducted at the Large Ice Basin of HSVA with cylindrical and conical, compliant structures exposed to drifting level ice to investigate the influence of slope and compliance on the ice load and its breaking frequency. Main goal of the test campaign was to study the importance of structural feedback during ice-cone interaction. This is a major issue e.g. for numerical simulation of offshore structures during design phase. Four shapes were tested: 50°, 60°, 80° and 90° slope angle. The cylinder was tested in order to define the worst case scenario regarding magnitude of ice load and severity of ice-induced vibrations. Stiffness and natural frequency of the structure were chosen similar to typical values for offshore wind turbine support structures. All shapes were tested both in a compliant and fixed configuration. The breaking frequency was found to be more pronounced for the lower slope angles where the ice failed in flexural failure only, while a transition to crushing failure as observed on a cylindrical structure takes place at 80° cone angle already. This results in significantly higher ice loads on the 80° cone than on those with lower angles, but a reduced risk of severe ice-structure interaction due to the unsteady nature of the mixed mode breaking process. Although the breaking frequency is rather constant e.g. during ice impact on the 60° cone, it was not possible during the model tests to match the ice drift speed and the dynamics of the structure in a way that causes resonance. However, model test results prove that there is a risk of conical structures with low natural frequencies and low stiffness in ice plane being excited by periodic ice failure in their natural frequency, thus response amplification may take place and pose a risk to the structural integrity of conical offshore structures exposed to sea ice. This paper presents the model test setup, analysis of the results, and general findings.

Advanced Weathervaning in Ice

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Hidding ◽  
Guillaume Bonnaffoux ◽  
Mamoun Naciri
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Change ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Model Tests ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Mooring System ◽  
Sudden Increase ◽  
Time Step ◽  
Ice Loads ◽  
Level Ice ◽  
Drift Direction

The reported presence of one third of remaining fossil reserves in the Arctic has sparked a lot of interest from energy companies. This has raised the necessity of developing specific engineering tools to design safely and accurately arctic-compliant offshore structures. The mooring system design of a turret-moored vessel in ice-infested waters is a clear example of such a key engineering tool. In the arctic region, a turret-moored vessel shall be designed to face many ice features: level ice, ice ridges or even icebergs. Regarding specifically level ice, a turret-moored vessel will tend to align her heading (to weather vane) with the ice sheet drift direction in order to decrease the mooring loads applied by this ice sheet. For a vessel already embedded in an ice sheet, a rapid change in the ice drift direction will suddenly increase the ice loads before the weathervaning occurs. This sudden increase in mooring loads may be a governing event for the turret-mooring system and should therefore be understood and simulated properly to ensure a safe design. The paper presents ADWICE (Advanced Weathervaning in ICE), an engineering tool dedicated to the calculation of the weathervaning of ship-shaped vessels in level ice. In ADWICE, the ice load formulation relies on the Croasdale model. Ice loads are calculated and applied to the vessel quasi-statically at each time step. The software also updates the hull waterline contour at each time step in order to calculate precisely the locations of contact between the hull and the ice sheet. Model tests of a turret-moored vessel have been performed in an ice basin. Validation of the simulated response is performed by comparison with model tests results in terms of weathervaning time, maximum mooring loads, and vessel motions.

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