Model Experiment of Ice Breaking by Moving Air Cushion Load

According to the differential equation of thin elastic vibrating plate and the similarity theory, the similar relationships of corresponding parameters between model and prototype as well as between the ice-like material and the real ice are established. A high accuracy non-contact laser displacement measuring system is developed to obtain the surface deformation of the ice-like material. A speed measurement and positioning system is established for the moving air cushion load. At different moving speed of air cushion load, a series of experiments of the deformation of ice-like material are carried out in towing channel which the depth of water is variable. At critical speed the maximum deformation of ice-like material can be caused, and the theory is derived and analyzed. Research results present the basis of ice-breaking for practical air cushion vehicle (ACV).