SIMULATION OF ICICLE GROWTH USING A 3-DIMENSIONAL RANDOM-WALK MODEL

A discrete three-dimensional random walk model has been developed to simulate icicle growth. Water flow along the icicle's surface is divided into fluid elements which follow a stochastic path towards the icicle tip. During its motion, a fluid element may freeze on the icicle's lateral surface or at its tip The fluid elements may also drip from the icicle tip. The influence of the model parameters (the freezing probability, the shedding parameter and the motion parameter) on the icicle geometry and on the efficiency of freezing has been examined. The model predicts a characteristic three-dimensional icicle surface of a stochastic nature. This new model may be used to simulate icicle formation on transmission lines, offshore structures and buildings, A distinct advantage of the random walk model is that it is not limited by the object's geometry.