Numerical simulation for the collision between side structure and level ice in event of side impact scenario

Abstract

With the opening of the Northern Sea for international shipping routes, various vessels prefer to use this option to reach Europe as distance is significantly reduced if a ship is sailing through this route. In the same time, the demand to ensure ship safety rises as impact phenomenon between ship structures and ice causes numerous casualties. This work presented a numerical study with a concentration on contact between ship structures and levels. The double side skin of a chemical tanker was modelled with a shell element while a deformable characteristic was implemented on the ice as an indenter. Several target areas on the side structure were set as impact points based on its stiffener component. Different models of indenter were taken into account in order to observe structural responses and influences of external parameters, namely ice topology, while the described location parameters were taken as the ship’s internal parameters. Impact force was presented with total energy, as well as the ratio between kinetic and internal energy. The deformation pattern was used as a verification of the collision process and its subsequent results. Finally, the behavior of the inner walls subjected to type indenters was observed as this component is the final component that maintains liquid cargo and resists an impact load.