An experimental study for the mechanical properties of model ice applying for the MOERI ice model basin

Abstract

One of the tasks when evaluating the performances of ice class vessels and Arctic offshore structures in an ice model basin is to prepare a proper model ice which shows correct similitude with natural sea ice. Every ice model basin in the world has individually developed the ice modeling technique and methodology to assist their adaptation. The EG/AD/S model ice which is a diluted aqueous solution of ethylene glycol, aliphatic detergent and sugar, may provide for the correct scaling of mechanical properties of columnar sea ice. The MOERI(Maritime & Ocean Engineering Research Institute) ice model basin of Korea scheduled to open in 2009, adopts the EG/AD/S type model ice, with a collaboration of the IOT(Institute for Ocean Technology), Canada. This study focuses on the evaluation of mechanical properties of EG/AD/S type model ice for possible use in the new MOERI ice model basin. Before completion of the new ice model basin, instead of using actual ice model basin, a cold room facility was used for making model ice growth and measuring its mechanical properties. The warm-up technique applied for the model ice growth seems to be most important factor to reduce ice strengths in this test. It was reported that the sugar component in the model ice solution may cause a difficult maintenance problem due to organic bacteria. Hence the influence of sugar component on the original EG/AD/S model ice was tested to check the possible removal of sugar from the original EG/AD/S solution. Copyright ？ 2009 by The International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers (ISOPE).