An Experimental Study on the Dynamic Response of Stiffened Panels under Repeated Ice Impact Loads Available to Purchase

When ships repeatedly collide with floating ice, the damage and deformation of the ship’s hull structure continuously accumulate, resulting in severe damage. In laboratory-scale experiments, the dynamic response of stiffened panels under multiple ice indenter impacts was investigated. Impact tests were conducted using a drop hammer impact apparatus, with impact forces and structural deformations systematically measured and recorded. The results indicate that the impact of the ice indenter causes permanent cumulative deformation of the stiffened panels, while also leading to significant fragmentation and splashing of the ice during the interaction process. Plastic deformation of the stiffened panels decreases progressively with an increase in the number of impacts, eventually reaching a plateau. Short cracks and localized failures were observed at both ends of the stiffeners where they were welded to the panels. This study aims to investigate the structural response and cumulative deformation characteristics of ship structures under relatively high-energy repeated impact scenarios. The findings may offer valuable insights for the safety assessment of polar ship structures.