Ice Forces on Offshore Structures; Model and Full Scale Comparison and Future Improvements

Ice model tests of Gulf Canada Corporation's floating drilling structure, the "Kulluk" were carried out prior to its construction by Arctec Canada Limited using our synthetic modelling material, MOD-ICE(1). The tests were carried out in level ice and in broken ice sheets 0.5 to 1.5 m in thickness. The resistance of the model in these ice conditions was measured and the associated ice interaction process with the structure was observed and recorded. Ice properties were also documented. The model test results are compared with full scale data collected during 1983 and 1984 and recently published in (2). Other data, obtained from model tests by IOWA University (3) and by HSVA (4) in refrigerated model ice were also used for the comparison. Both a quantitative and qualitative comparison of the results are made. The degree of correlation between model and full scale data is assessed and conclusions are drawn regarding the application of ice model testing.