Study on water entry impact characteristics and parameter influence analysis of the vehicle passing through the thin crushed ice zone in a polar environment

The problem of water entry in polar environments holds significant research value for polar resource exploration and military applications. This study uses computational fluid dynamics and the discrete element method (CFD-DEM) to investigate the complex process of a vehicle entering water through a thin crushed ice zone. Experimental data validates the efficiency of the coupling algorithm. The primary focus of this study is to investigate the influence of crushed ice shapes, arrangement patterns, coverage densities, and sizes within thin crushed ice zones on the process of water entry. A comprehensive analysis is carried out to assess how the characteristic parameters of different thin crushed ice zones affect the dynamic behavior of the vehicle during water entry and the movements of the crushed ice. Concurrently, the influence of different velocities of the vehicle on the water entry process through a specific thin crushed ice zone is analyzed. The results show that when the crushed ice is in a regular arrangement, it exhibits a circular immersion phenomenon and a cross-shaped passive movement trend. The arrangement patterns, coverage densities, and sizes of the crushed ice have different effects on the water entry process. Of these factors, the complexity of the influence of crushed ice sizes on the water entry process stands out. Meanwhile, the water entry velocity plays a crucial role in determining the relative significance of the hydrodynamic force and the collision force of crushed ice on the total resistance of the vehicle during water entry. These insights provide valuable guidance for the planning and execution of missions in polar regions.