Numerical investigation on the structural response of the forepeak tank of the icebreaker “Zhong Shan Da Xue Ji Di” during continuous icebreaking

To assess the structural safety of polar icebreakers navigating in ice-covered waters, this study takes the forepeak tank of the icebreaker “Zhong Shan Da Xue Ji Di” as the research object and establishes a numerical model of forepeak tank–level ice interaction using the commercial finite element software Abaqus. The sea ice is discretized using a coupled solid-cohesive element approach, in which continuum elements represent the elastoplastic behavior of intact ice and cohesive elements govern the initiation, propagation, and fragmentation of ice cracks. In addition, the buoyancy and hydrodynamic drag forces exerted by seawater are applied to the ice through a VDLOAD user subroutine. After validating the numerical model, the stress response of the forepeak tank under a typical condition is analyzed, and the influences of ice thickness and vessel speed on the structural response are systematically investigated. The results indicate that, during icebreaking, high-stress regions are primarily concentrated on the outer shell plating and at the connections between structural members. Increasing either ice thickness or vessel speed elevates the overall stress level in the forepeak tank. The findings of this study provide numerical references for the structural design optimization and navigation safety assessment of polar icebreakers under icebreaking conditions.