ON THE DETERMINATION OF HORIZONTAL FORCES A FLOATING ICE PLATE EXERTS ON A STRUCTURE.

Abstract

This report first discusses the general approach for calculating the horizontal forces an ice cover exerts on a structure. Ice force determination consists of two parts: the analysis of the in-plane forces assuming that the ice cover remains intact and the use of a failure criterion, since an ice force cannot be larger than the force capable of breaking up the ice cover. This report reviews the ice force analyses based on the buckling failure mechanism and points out their shortcomings. The report then presents a new method of analysis which is based on the buckling mechanism.