Arctic Deployment of the USCGC Polar Star - Winter 1982. Volume 4. Ice Loads on Steering Gear Systems

摘要

During the 1982 winter deployment of USCGC Polar Star an instrumentation system was installed to record the performance of the rudder and steering gear system during ship operations in ice and in open water. The collected data has been used, in conjunction with a mathematical model which predicts loads on rudders due to ice impact, to examine the influence of designer-controlled, operator-controlled and environment-controlled variables on steering system loads. A statistical analysis of the collected data has been combined with that derived from re-analysis of previously recorded data on other vessels to examine the effect of varying ship/ice interaction conditions and rudder configuration on measured loads. Non-dimensional torque curves and an ice-strengthening procedure are presented to assist in designing systems for other ship and ice conditions. The measured and calculated data have been used to develop guidelines for the configuration and performance of rudders and steering systems for icebreaking vessels. Gaps in the current data base have been identified for future research.