Research on Fatigue Strength of Polar Icebreaker Structures Considering Ice Loads Based on Discrete Ice Element Model
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Structural safety is of utmost importance for polar icebreakers under both navigation and icebreaking conditions. In this research, the Palmgren–Miner linear cumulative damage theory is employed to evaluate the structural fatigue lifespan of polar icebreakers. A spectral analysis, incorporating the time distribution coefficients for three load conditions, is executed to assess the fatigue damage at typical hot spots during navigation. For icebreaking activities, the ship–ice interaction loads with time history are simulated using the discrete ice element method, taking into account five sub-operating conditions. This simulation is coupled with rainflow counting to evaluate the fatigue damage. The results show that the cumulative fatigue damage during navigation is much less than that during icebreaking. Additionally, shoulder areas suffer more serious fatigue damage during icebreaking as a result of the direct impact of broken ice. Consequently, both navigation and icebreaking conditions should be considered in the design of hull structures and the assessment of fatigue strength for polar icebreakers.
DOI: 10.3390/jmse13081545
Authors: Lizhi Chen, Zhiyong Pei
Language: English
Subfield: Mechanics of Materials
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,137
OpenAlex ID: W4413129332