Four Approaches for Addressing

Ice Forces on Offshore Platforms

Dr. Garry Timco
Canadian Hydraulics Centre
National Research Council of Canada
Ottawa, Ont. K1A 0R6 Canada
Ice Forces on Offshore Platforms

Predicting ice forces on offshore

platforms is one of the key elements
for operations in ice-covered waters

The ice force often is the controlling

factor in the design of the platform
and in developing operational
procedures
Addressing Ice Engineering Issues: Four Methodologies

Lab Studies Numerical Models

Data Mining
Field Studies
Physical Modelling

Approach
Physically scale the structure and the ice properties
and use scaling laws to determine ice loads and ice
interaction behavior
 Physical Modelling

Advantages
Many years of model test experience
Several large test facilities
Used for both structures and ships
Many types of structure shapes tested
Disadvantages
Can be expensive need specialized facilities
Model ice cannot accurately scale sea ice
Conflicting (uncertain) modeling laws
Ice failure behavior not always accurate
Modelling of extreme ice features is challenging
Ice Loads often over-predicted (?)
 Numerical Modelling

Finite Element
Discrete Element
Particle-in-Cell
Smooth Particle
Hydrodynamics

Approach
Use sophisticated software
programs to model ice forces for
specific interaction scenarios
Numerical Modelling Advantages
Some approaches can use complex
(proper) rheological properties
Can provide a wealth of information
(loads, stresses, concentration,
velocities)
Animations can be very instructive
Relatively cost efficient - parametric
studies

Disadvantages
Some approaches have limited
mechanical properties
Complex to run
Gridding (re-meshing) can be
challenging
Validation is limited (but growing)
Choice of correct methodology is
important
Need highly skilled people to develop
correct models
Numerical Modelling

NRC-CHC Particle-in-Cell
 Data Mining
Artificial Islands Drillships

Approach
Determine ice loads by re-analyzing
previous field measurement programs

Spray Ice Islands Caisson Structures Floating Conical Drillships

 Data Mining
Advantages
Large amounts of data exist
Wide range of structural shapes
Large number of events analyzed
(NRC Ice Load Catalogue)
Can provide solid information on ice
loads and ice engineering
issues
Disadvantages
Data not always complete
Often incomplete visual information
Need experienced eye to make
sense of information
Not much unprocessed data left
Field Studies

Approach
Conduct dedicated field
studies to obtain real world
information

Many studies conducted

in the 1970s and 1980s
on ice properties and ice
loads
very few since then
 Field Studies

Disadvantages
Advantages
Very costly
Gives the best information
Planning is a key to success
..but often difficulties arise
Unique experience required
Research license(s) are required timing
Often limited window of opportunity
Harsh environment for researchers
NRC-CHC Website

The Canadian Hydraulics Centre of NRC

maintains a website with over 250 reports and
papers related to cold regions technology.

It can be found at www.chc.nrc.ca and

click on Cold Regions Reports and Papers
 Beaufort Sea Historical Information

The NRC-CHC has written an

Overview of Historical Canadian Beaufort Sea
Information overview report on the
G.W. Timco and R. Frederking
historical information from the
Beaufort Sea

Electronic copies can be

found on the NRC-CHC
website

NRC Canadian Hydraulics Centre

Technical Report CHC-TR-057

October 2008
 Final Comments
There are several tools that can be used to try to better
understand ice loads on offshore platforms
Each has distinct advantages and disadvantages
Experience is a key ingredient in understanding ice
loads regardless of which approach is used
Young, talented people can advance our understanding,
but.

Timing is a key ingredient the (now grey hair)

experience from the 1970s and 80s must be
cultivated and utilized