First-year ridge interaction with the Molikpaq in the Beaufort Sea

• Published in: Cold Regions Science and Technology
• Main Authors: Wright, B. D., Timco, G. W.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2001
• Subjects: Loads; Molikpaq; ridges; sea ice; structure; Beaufort Sea; Sea ice
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-232X(01)00021-0; https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/object/?id=5fb01869-04f4-46af-851b-f76a19b25d1d; https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/fra/voir/objet/?id=5fb01869-04f4-46af-851b-f76a19b25d1d

This paper presents details of the failure behaviour and loads associated with the interaction of first-year ridges with the offshore structure Molikpaq. An analysis was made of ridge interactions during 2 years of deployment of the Molikpaq in the Canadian Beaufort Sea. The first-year ridge interactions were complex and characterized by a complicated sequence of ice failures that are largely dependent on the particulars of the ridge and the interaction event. Typical ridge failure modes included spine failures, failing behind the ridge, shearing, stopping and mixed modal. Typical load levels ranged from 30 to 100 MN for first-year ridges with sail heights up to 2.5 m. For these ridges, the ridge line load [PLL in MN/m] was related to the ridge sail height [Hs in m] by PLL=0.36Hs+0.25. NRC publication: Yes