Full-scale ship-structure ice impact laboratory experiments: experimental apparatus and initial results

This article presents the results of three ice impacts against a stiffened panel cut from the recently decommissioned ex-HMCS IROQUOIS. The upgraded experimental apparatus (the large double-pendulum), its sensors, and experimental conditions are also presented. The apparatus consists of two pendulums, one constrains and supports an ice feature, and the other constrains and supports a ship hull grillage structure. The first ice impact had data integrity and ice cone geometry issues, and so is treated as a commissioning test. During the second impact the impact force peaked at 553.9 kN, the total impact duration was 0.055 s and the hull plating acceleration at the centre of the impacted location was a maximum of 10877 m/s(2). The third impact exhibited a peak force of 773.6 kN, 9691 m/s(2) of acceleration, and had an impact duration of 0.039 s.