Ice tank tests on circular and sidewall air cusion icebreaker bows

• Main Authors: Hinchey, M. J., Mak, L. M., Colbourne, D. B.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: 1991
• Subjects: Canada; Arctic; Ice Sheet
• Online Access: https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/object/?id=64b6992a-380d-444c-ab0a-8ce03b2232be; https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/fra/voir/objet/?id=64b6992a-380d-444c-ab0a-8ce03b2232be

This paper describes ice tank tests on two new circular and rigid sidewall Air Cushion Iceabreaker Bows (ACIBs), conducted in the ice tank at the Institute for Marine Dynamics (Canada). Each model used a kneeless segment skirt, which is basically the skirt system proposed for the prototypes. The objective was to examine the ice breaking capability of the two designs to better understand the ice breaking mechanism and to develop scaling laws for the presnetation of air cushion icebreaking data. Data available from field and other model tests were also compated with the IMD data. In the tests, each ACIB was attached to a towing carriage. Air flow into the cushion was suppplied by a Vortex Blower. EG/AD/S ice sheets, with thicknesses in the range 30mm to 50mm, were used to model the ice covers. For some tests, the ice sheet was presawn to investigate the significance of the breaking component of resistance. Tow load, cushion pressure, cushion flow and carriage speed were recorded. The noted objective was achieved. Peer reviewed: Yes NRC publication: Yes