Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• A novel CFD-DEM numerical model with dynamic overset grid technology and DFBI method enables free-running ship motion in pack ice, overcoming limitations of stationary ship assumptions. • The proposed high-precision pack ice generation method accurately represents pack ice conditions, enhancing the fidelity of ship-ice-water interaction simulations. • Validation against model test data and experimental observations confirms the model's effectiveness in predicting ship resistance and simulating navigation in pack ice. • The model offers significant potential for further studies on ship performance in pack ice, supporting design and optimization of ice-going ships.
Abstract
Ice-going ships play a crucial role in polar transportation and resource extraction. Different from the existing modeling approach which assumes that ships remain stationary, dynamic overset grid technology and DFBI (Dynamic Fluid-Body Interaction) method are employed in this paper to enable the free-running motion of the ship in modeling. A numerical model capable of simulating a ship navigating through pack ice area is proposed, which uses Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) method to solve the flow field and applies the Discrete Element Method (DEM) to simulate ship-ice and ice-ice interactions. Besides, the proposed high-precision method for generating pack ice area can be used in conjunction with the proposed numerical model. By comparing the numerical results with the available model test data and experimental observations, the effectiveness of the numerical model is validated, demonstrating its strong capability of predicting resistance and simulating ship navigation in pack ice, as well as its significant potential and applicability for further studies.
1. Introduction
The ice resistance performance of ice-going ships is directly related to their navigation efficiency and economic viability, serving as a crucial basis for designing and optimizing their hull form. Most of the existing studies on the ice resistance of ice-going ships are conducted under level ice condition [1−2]. However, as the effects of global warming persist and the Arctic route continues to develop, the pack ice condition is likely to become the most common environment for future polar transportation [3−4]. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct study specifically targeting pack ice condition.
In the study of ship-ice interaction in pack ice, experimental and numerical methods are commonly used. Compared to experimental methods [5−7], numerical methods are advantageous because they are of lower costs, capable of controlling the variables involved and being implemented during the ship design phase. Løset [8] used the two-dimensional disc Discrete Element Method (DEM) to construct a pack ice area and employed a linear viscoelastic model to simulate ice collisions. Wang et al. [9] used the Finite Element Method (FEM) to simulate the navigation of an ice-going ship in pack ice area, and compared the numerical results with experimental data to validate the reliability of the numerical method. As the study progresses, the influence of flow field and ship-generated waves on ship-ice interactions has been taken into consideration. To solve the more complex ship-ice-water coupling problems, Vroegrijk [10] proposed a CFD-DEM method that couples the flow field with the ice field, employing CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) to simulate the flow field and DEM to simulate the ship-ice and ice-ice interactions. Compared to other numerical methods, this method effectively integrates the advantages of CFD in fluid flow analysis, enabling a more realistic representation of ship-ice-water interaction [11−12]. It has become a popular method for studying ice resistance of ships navigating in pack ice in recent years. Some researchers have applied this method and achieved some good results [13−16].
In the existing studies based on the CFD-DEM method, ships are commonly assumed to be stationary. The relative motion between the ship, the pack ice and water is achieved by the steady motion of the pack ice and water towards the ship at a speed equal to the ship speed. However, when modeling in this way, the velocity of pack ice may change due to the influence of other pack ice and the flow field before the pack ice encounters the ship, resulting in inconsistencies between the encountering velocity and the given velocity [13]. To add...
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ZOU Ming, ZOU Zao-jian, ZOU Lu, ZHU Sheng-tao (2025). Numerical Modeling of Ship-Ice-Water Interaction for Free-running Ships in Pack Ice. SinoTechIntel Verified Research. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1007-7294.2025.06.003
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main innovation of this paper?
The main innovation is the use of dynamic overset grid technology and the DFBI method to enable free-running ship motion in pack ice, unlike previous models that assumed stationary ships. This allows more realistic simulation of ship-ice-water interaction.
How does the proposed numerical model work?
The model couples CFD for solving the flow field and DEM for simulating ship-ice and ice-ice interactions. It also includes a high-precision method for generating pack ice areas, which can be used with the model.
What are the key findings of the study?
The numerical model was validated against model test data and experimental observations, showing strong capability in predicting ship resistance and simulating navigation in pack ice. It demonstrates significant potential for further studies.
Why is studying pack ice condition important?
With global warming and Arctic route development, pack ice is becoming the most common environment for polar transportation. Understanding ship performance in pack ice is crucial for designing efficient and economically viable ice-going ships.
What are the limitations of existing CFD-DEM methods?
Existing CFD-DEM methods often assume ships are stationary, with relative motion achieved by moving pack ice and water. This can lead to inconsistencies in encounter velocity due to interactions before reaching the ship, which the proposed model addresses.
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