Coupling of Finite Element Method and Peridynamics to Simulate Ship-Ice Interaction

Abstract

In this work, the finite element method (PD-FEM) coupling strategy is used to simulate ship-ice interaction. Two numerical benchmark tests are selected to validate the coupling approach and its program. During the ice-breaking process simulation, the generation and propagation of radial and circular cracks in level ice are modeled and phenomena such as the shedding of wedge ice, flipping of brash ice, and cleaning of the channel are observed to be broadly consistent with experimental observation. The influence of ship speed and ice thickness on the ice load are investigated and analyzed. The ice load obtained from the numerical simulations is in general agreement with that given by Lindqvist’s empirical formula. The boundary effect on the crack path can also be avoid with the current coupling method.