A CFD study on the hydrodynamic response of a small-scale ice floe induced by a passing ship

Abstract

A Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model is built to investigate the hydrodynamic response of a circular ice floe under the influence of a passing ship in calm waters. The ship, mirroring the KRISO Container Ship’s hull design, progresses near an ice floe whose diameter is 30% of the ship’s length and its thickness is 3 m. The ship advances at a constant speed, which is handled by using the overset mesh technique. This study focuses on the ice floe’s motions and the hydrodynamic forces induced by three speeds and three transverse distances of the passing ship. Findings reveal that ship-generated wakes notably influence the ice floe’s motions, with a greater influence on sway than surge. Additionally, the ship’s speed and proximity distinctly affect the ice floe’s motions.