Regulation of ship ice belt thicknesses

Abstract

The safe navigation of ships in the ice is strongly related to the thickness of the ice strake. But an increase in these thicknesses leads to a significant increase in the weight and cost of ships. The proportion of the plating in the weight of the reinforced structure can reach up to 70%. Therefore, the regulation of the thickness of the shell plating, taking into account the specifics of its reinforcements, is crucial importance. Russian and international experiences of ice reinforcement of vessels have their own peculiarities. One of them is intermediate frames of a different profile and smaller sizes in comparison with main frames can be used to strengthen the plating. At the same time, the working conditions of the plating change significantly, which should be taken into account when regulating thicknesses. However, a review and analysis of the Rules of different classification societies does not reveal such accounting. As a result, a wide range of constructive design solutions can lead to incorrect conclusions and dangerous consequences in operation, in particular when reclassifying foreign-built vessels to Russian conditions. Based on the analysis of models of different levels, the paper shows the features of the stress-strain state of the plating under forces from interaction with ice and makes suggestions for regulating its thicknesses.