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The numerical modelling of the loads on and the behav-
iour of a floater in such ice fields is a multi-scale and
multi-body phenomenon as illustrated in Figure 1. For
instance, it is often assumed that the motion of a floater
has a negligible impact on the ice failure process due to
the relatively slow velocities of the floater.
This assumption is criticized as the characteristic
periods of floater motion are often in the order of the
periods of the bending ice failure, also the duration of
the ice-structure contact between failures is rather
large due to the clopping character of the interface.
SAMCoT research focuses on establishing a better
understanding of the interaction processes between the
floater and ice. This research entails the study of multi-
body dynamics and hydrodynamic effects on the inter-
action process.
In order to address these general challenges according
to our industry partners’ needs for innovation, several
research projects are being carried out. These include:
• ice floe structure interaction
• developing a numerical model of ice-fluid-
structure interactions
• Frequency lock-in for floating offshore structures
• Accidental collisions with ice masses
• operational safety of ice-reinforced vessels
around non-reinforced platforms
• Friction of sea ice on sea ice
All of these projects are the concrete challenges experi-
enced by operations in Arctic conditions. None could
have been properly addressed without the insights from
the basic research into the physical phenomena of ice.
Studies in the Data Collection and Process Modelling
research area, on the drift of sea ice, metocean data,
and ice ridge morphological and strength properties are
of particular significance for this work. The fundamental
research work has provided theory and analysis of ice
rubble accumulation in front of a sloping-faced struc-
ture. Further, it has provided input to theory applied in
the splitting failure of ice that is believed to be a load
releasing mechanism in ice-structure interaction.
Floating Structures in Ice
A floating structure located in Arctic waters may be exposed to intact level ice, broken
ice, ridges and icebergs. The floater may be transiting, moored or on dynamic positioning.
The interaction with these ice features is a complex dynamic phenomenon, which can be
significantly influenced by the motion of the floater. This influence has not been systema-
tically studied in the past to the same extent as the ice interaction with fixed offshore
installations. This gap will have to be closed as floating solutions will be dominant in the
on-going advance of the offshore industry into the Arctic.