Experimental Investigation of Ice Loads on Structures during Quasi-Static Compression Tests

In polar ship hull structural designs, methods based on regulations are considered the most authoritative; however, they tend to be conservative and often exhibit a notable degree of redundancy. This study aims to evaluate the applicability of the empirical formula for ice load assessments by conducting a series of quasi-static indentation tests on scaled hull plates under laboratory-made ice blocks of different scales. The obtained data include ice loads, structural responses, and characteristics of ice pressure distribution. A detailed comparison of various formulas is provided, along with an examination of their differences and errors in comparison to experimental results. The objective of this paper is to offer technical support for ice load forecasting and assessment.