Ice Research at HSVA
The Arctic Technology at HSVA department conducts in-house research to improve testing procedures and the development of engineering tools. For this purpose HSVA participates in research projects or acts as service provider in research projects.
Facility Description
The Hamburg Ship Model Basin operates ice testing facilities including a rectangular 70 by 10m Large Ice Model Basin (LIMB) with a water depth of 2.5m and a 12m long deep section with water depth of 5m. The LIMB is equipped with a towing carriage with a speed range of 0.01 to 3.0 m/s and a towing capacity of 5 tons. The temperature in the LIMB can be adjusted within a range of -20°C to plus 5°C which allows growing either natural ice or seeded model ice of different properties. The standard thickness range for model ice used for maritime projects is between 10 a 70mm but the freezing period can be extended for scientific projects such that ice thickness values up to 30cm can be realized. The water in the ice basin contains abt.7ppt of sodium chloride.
A wave generator can be installed in the forward part of the ice basin. The wave generator covers the entire width of the ice basin and is able to generate regular waves with a maximum height of 0.25m and irregular waves with a maximum height of 0.13m.
In addition a dry ice laboratory adjacent to the ice basin is available for ice mechanical and material testing such as compressive strength tests, friction tests and thin sectioning.
For detailed information on HSVA ice testing facilities please consult our institute's website.
Selected Projects
HSVA provides support to scientists during planning, preparation and conduction of experimental campaigns in the arctic testing facilities.
Reference Projects:
- Hydralab
- University College London
- University Center in Svalbard
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology
- Hamburg University of Technology:
Laboratory investigations of the bending rheology of floating saline ice and wave damping in the HSVA ice tank
An experiment on the propagation of flexural-gravity waves was performed in the HSVA ice tank. Physical characteristics of the water-ice system were measured in different locations in the tank during the tests, with a number of sensors deployed in the water, on the ice and in the air. Water velocity was measured with an acoustic doppler velocimeter (ADV) and an acoustic doppler current profiler (ADCP); wave amplitudes were measured with ultrasonic sensors and the optical system Qualisys; in-plane deformations of the ice and the temperature of the ice and water were measured by fiber optic sensors, and acoustic emissions were recorded with compressional crystal sensors. All together 61 tests were performed, with ice thicknesses of 3 cm and 5 cm. It was shown that the formation of cracks in the ice, caused by the action of waves, increases wave damping.
Internal solitary wave propagation in ice-covered water
Internal solitary waves (ISWs) propagating in a stably-stratified two layer fluid in which the surface condition changes from open water to different ice types namely, nilas ice, grease ice and level ice are studied. Experiments are conducted in a cold laboratory at the Hamburg Ship Model Basin (HSVA). A customized flume is designed and built. Specific objectives are to obtain accurate measurements of (i) wave amplitude, (ii) wave-induced velocity field, and (iii) wave speed. In addition, measurements of ice thickness and wave-induced ice floe speed are made. The main questions to address are (i) what is the dissipation of ISW energy under different ice conditions and (ii) what is the effect of ISW energy on the ice dynamics.
Sea ice dynamics: The role of broken ice in multi-scale deformation
Realistic models of Arctic Ocean behaviour should capture the influence of broken ice acting as a fault gouge between sliding floes. We performed double-direct shear friction tests on floating saline ice floes in the HSVA ARCTECLAB, Large Model Basin, Hamburg. We have focused these experiments on angularity and size to determine fault gouge characteristics. In the experiments the displacements and deformation of ice gouge were characterized during on-going frictional slip for the first time. Both stable sliding and stickslip behaviour were displayed. It appears that there are controls on behaviour according to gouge angularity. By measuring local stress, strain and acoustic emissions along the sliding interfacial fault the mechanics of the propagation of slip from slip initiation to dynamic propagation for the first time in the presence of broken ice was captured.
Waves in Ice
In HSVA's Large Ice Model Basin waves in ice can be tested.