Evaluation and analysis of the static strength of ice-class propellers

摘要

Ice-class propellers often bear substantial loads during their life cycle, and their strength must therefore be analysed and evaluated during the design phase. In this study, a blade strength evaluation method was established and the influences of various propeller parameters on the strength were analysed considering the Unified Polar Class Rules (URI3) specifications. Further, a primary optimisation method was proposed based on the strength assessment approximation model. Both the hydrodynamic load and ice load were considered in the strength assessment process, and in-house code was developed based on the panel and finite element methods (FEM) to combine the fluid and structural calculation models. The entire analysis process was performed for an R-class propeller and, considering the strength assessment and analysis results, the reverse-rotating scenario (denoted as case 5) was deemed the most dangerous working condition for the R-class propeller. It was found that the thickness, rotation speed, chord, and mutual interactions significantly impact the blade strength.