A method for calculation of ice ridge crack loads on a multifaceted conical structure

摘要

To ease fabrication and reduce cost, industry has considered replacing the smoothly curved surface with a multifaceted one for conical structures. Most analytical methods and calculation procedures, including those recommended by API (RP 2N), were developed for smoothly curved conical structures. To account for the particular features of the faceted cone, an analytical model is presented in this paper to estimate the ice ridge crack loads on a multifaceted conical structure. The theory of an elastic beam on an elastic foundation was employed to determine the maximum bending moment in the ice ridge. The effects of facet width, ridge length and the attached ice sheet were taken into account. Three contacting conditions between the ridge and the structure were considered by simulating them as three different loading conditions. It is also shown that the elasticity model for the case of smooth cones is a particular case of the present model.