CFD-DEM based full-scale ship-ice interaction research under FSICR ice condition in restricted brash ice channel

The CFD-DEM simulations are performed to investigate the suitable ship-ice contact model and research the fullscale ship-ice interaction characteristics in the restricted brash ice channel. The discrete element method has been coupled in the viscous flow CFD solver to establish the brash ice model, combining with the VOF model of Euler Multiphase flow to simulate the interaction between the ship and brash ice. The AFRAMAX oil tanker ice test in Hamburg Ship Model Basin (HSVA) has been taken as the research reference. Firstly, the computed mean total ice resistance of different density grids show the monotonic convergence and meet the experimental results well. Secondly, three ship-ice contact models are applied to simulate the ship-ice collision, and the maximum relative error of total ice resistance is within -5.5%. Thirdly, the parametric study of ice shape and restitution coefficient is researched, which shows the ice shape could be the vital factor affecting the simulated total ice resistance. Finally, The full-scale total ice resistance under Finnish-Swedish Ice Class Rules (FSICR) IA and IB ice conditions are compared and discussed among the experiment, FSICR method, Dobrovin's empirical method, and CFD-DEM simulations. Moreover, the characteristics of collision, accumulation, extrusion, rolling, and sliding in the ship-ice interaction process are well consistent with the observations in the ice tank test, which indicates the proposed full-scale CFD-DEM approach of direct evaluating the ship-brash ice interaction shows reasonable results and practical value.

Automated summary

The CFD-DEM simulations investigated ship-ice contact models and fullscale ship-ice interaction characteristics in a restricted brash ice channel. Results showed convergence of computed ice resistance with different density grids and the importance of ice shape in influencing simulated total ice resistance. The study demonstrated practical value in evaluating ship-brash ice interaction.