An apparatus and method for simulating the interaction of ice and a flexible deck structure

Abstract

This invention discloses an experimental apparatus and method for simulating the interaction between ice and an elastic plate structure. The experimental apparatus includes: an ice-fixing base, a pressing system, an observation system, and a data acquisition instrument. The ice-fixing base is used to fix the ice specimen. The pressing system includes a lifting mechanism, a moving crossbeam, and a pressing fixture. The lifting mechanism is connected to the moving crossbeam. The pressing fixture includes an upper fixture plate, a lower fixture plate, a supporting column, an elastic plate, and a clamping plate. The upper fixture plate is connected to the moving crossbeam, and the lower fixture plate is connected to the upper fixture plate via the supporting column. The lower fixture plate has a first pre-drilled hole. The elastic plate includes an elastic crossbeam connected to the lower fixture plate, and the clamping plate is connected to the elastic crossbeam. The clamping plate has a second pre-drilled hole. The observation system includes a force sensor, a thin-film pressure sensor, and a high-speed camera. The data acquisition instrument is connected to the force sensor, the thin-film pressure sensor, and the high-speed camera. The experimental apparatus and method can be used for subsequent analysis of the ice-elastic structure interaction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of ice testing apparatus, and more particularly to a testing apparatus and method for simulating the interaction between ice and an elastic plate frame structure. Background Technology

[0002] The Arctic region, with its significant shipping advantages, abundant resources, and strategic geographical location, is attracting increasing attention. Polar sea ice exhibits diverse forms, and ships and other marine structures operating in polar regions encounter various types of ice loads. To ensure the safety of marine structures in ice-covered areas, ice load forecasting research is essential.

[0003] The ice fracturing process is highly complex, involving numerous phenomena such as microcrack propagation, crushing, and spalling. The constitutive relations of ice are intricate and difficult to characterize effectively. Therefore, model testing remains an effective means of studying ice-structure interactions. Previous ice-structure interaction model tests often simplified the structure as a rigid body, with the core objective of simplifying the complex problem and focusing on the highly uncertain mechanical behavior and failure modes of the ice itself. However, this rigidity assumption has significant limitations; it completely ignores the feedback effect of structural deformation on the interaction process. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to provide an experimental device and method for simulating the interaction between ice and elastic plate frame structures, in order to solve the problem that in model tests of ice-structure interaction, the structure is often simplified as a rigid body and the feedback effect of structural deformation on the interaction process is ignored.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the inventors provide an experimental device for simulating the interaction between ice and an elastic plate structure, comprising: an ice fixing base, a pressing system, an observation system, and a data acquisition instrument;

[0006] The ice fixing base is used to fix the ice specimen;

[0007] The pressing system includes a lifting mechanism, a moving crossbeam, and a pressing fixture. The lifting mechanism is connected to the moving crossbeam and is used to raise and lower the moving crossbeam. The pressing fixture includes an upper fixture plate, a lower fixture plate, a support column, an elastic plate frame, and a clamping plate. The upper fixture plate is located below the moving crossbeam and is connected to the moving crossbeam, rising and falling with the moving crossbeam. The lower fixture plate is located below the upper fixture plate and is connected to the upper fixture plate via the support column. The lower fixture plate has a first pre-drilled hole that extends vertically. The elastic plate frame includes an elastic crossbeam located below and connected to the lower fixture plate, forming the bottom of the first pre-drilled hole. The clamping plate is located below and connected to the elastic crossbeam and has a second pre-drilled hole that extends vertically. The ice fixing base is located directly below the clamping plate.

[0008] The observation system includes a force sensor, a thin-film pressure sensor, and a high-speed camera. The force sensor is mounted on the moving crossbeam and is located above and in contact with the upper plate of the tooling. It is used to collect the pressure on the pressing tooling. The thin-film pressure sensor is connected to the lower surface of the elastic cross plate and is used to collect the pressure distribution on the contact surface when the ice specimen and the elastic cross plate interact. The high-speed camera is located on one side of the ice fixing base and is used to collect the failure status of the ice specimen.

[0009] The data acquisition instrument is connected to the force sensor, the thin-film pressure sensor, and the high-speed camera.

[0010] Furthermore, the elastic frame also includes an elastic vertical plate, which is vertically disposed on the elastic horizontal plate and abuts against the two side walls of the first reserved hole.

[0011] Furthermore, there are four support columns, which are located at the four corners of the pressing fixture. Each support column is connected to the upper plate and the lower plate of the fixture by bolts.

[0012] Furthermore, the pressing system also includes a connecting sleeve and a connector assembly. The upper end of the connecting sleeve passes through the force sensor and is connected to the moving crossbeam. The lower end of the connecting sleeve is connected to the upper end of the connector assembly, and the lower end of the connector assembly is connected to the upper plate of the tooling, so that the moving crossbeam is indirectly connected to the upper plate of the tooling.

[0013] Further, the connector assembly includes a cylindrical connector, the upper tooling plate has a slot, the lower end of the cylindrical connector is inserted into the slot and connected to the upper tooling plate by bolts, the cylindrical connector is perpendicular to the upper tooling plate, and the upper end of the cylindrical connector is connected to the lower end of the connecting sleeve; or:

[0014] The connector assembly includes a flange and a beveled cylindrical connector. The flange is bolted to the upper plate of the tooling. The flange has a beveled groove. The lower end of the beveled cylindrical connector is inserted into the beveled groove and bolted to the flange. The beveled cylindrical connector is inclined to the upper plate of the tooling and the flange. The upper end of the beveled cylindrical connector is connected to the lower end of the connecting sleeve.

[0015] Furthermore, the observation system also includes a first displacement sensor and a second displacement sensor. The first displacement sensor is located above the moving crossbeam and is used to collect the moving displacement of the moving crossbeam. The second displacement sensor is located below the upper plate of the tooling and is connected to the lower surface of the upper plate of the tooling through a second fixing plate. It is used to collect the structural deformation history of the elastic crossbeam. The first displacement sensor and the second displacement sensor are respectively connected to the data acquisition instrument.

[0016] Furthermore, the ice fixing base includes a fixed base plate and four movable clamping plates. The positions of the four movable clamping plates on the fixed base plate are adjustable, and the four movable clamping plates clamp the ice specimen from all sides.

[0017] Furthermore, the upper surface of the fixed base plate is provided with multiple positioning holes, and the four movable clamping plates are detachably connected to the positioning holes by bolts.

[0018] Furthermore, the lifting mechanism includes a frame, two sets of ball screw lifting assemblies, and a servo motor. The frame includes an upper horizontal plate and a lower horizontal plate. The two sets of ball screw lifting assemblies are arranged side by side. The screw of each set of ball screw lifting assemblies is connected to the upper horizontal plate and the lower horizontal plate. The screw is vertically arranged and connected to the servo motor. The nut seat of each set of ball screw lifting assemblies is connected to the moving crossbeam.

[0019] To achieve the above objectives, the inventors provide a test method for simulating the interaction between ice and an elastic plate structure, applied to the test apparatus for simulating the interaction between ice and an elastic plate structure described in the above embodiments. The test method includes the following steps:

[0020] Place the ice specimen on the ice fixing base;

[0021] The ice specimen was fixed using an ice-fixing base.

[0022] The lifting mechanism drives the moving crossbeam and the pressing fixture to descend at a preset speed, causing the elastic plate of the pressing fixture to interact with the ice specimen. During this process, a force sensor collects the interaction force on the elastic plate, a thin-film pressure sensor collects the pressure distribution on the contact surface between the ice specimen and the elastic plate, a high-speed camera collects the failure status of the ice specimen, a second displacement sensor records the deformation process of the elastic plate, and a first displacement sensor collects the movement displacement of the moving crossbeam.

[0023] Unlike existing technologies, the ice-fixing base can firmly secure the pre-prepared ice specimen, ensuring its position remains unchanged during the test. The pressing system drives the moving crossbeam to descend via a lifting mechanism, which in turn lowers the pressing fixture to compress the ice specimen at a preset rate until the ice completely loses its load-bearing capacity. The elastic crossbeam has a certain bending stiffness and can undergo elastic deformation. After the elastic crossbeam contacts the ice specimen, continued pressing causes the elastic crossbeam to undergo elastic bending deformation, simulating the action process of a real marine structure under ice load. During this process, a force sensor records the applied load, and a thin-film pressure sensor monitors the pressure distribution history in the contact area between the ice and the elastic crossbeam in real time. The data is simultaneously recorded by a data acquisition instrument for subsequent analysis of the ice-elastic structure interaction mechanism.

[0024] The above description of the invention is merely an overview of the technical solution of this application. In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of this application and to implement it based on the description and drawings, and to make the above-mentioned objectives and other objectives, features and advantages of this application easier to understand, the following description is provided in conjunction with the specific embodiments and drawings of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The accompanying drawings are only used to illustrate the principles, implementation methods, applications, features, and effects of specific embodiments of the present invention and other related contents, and should not be considered as limitations on this application.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the experimental apparatus in this invention;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the pressing tool and the thin-film pressure sensor in this invention;

[0028] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Enlarged view of part A in the middle;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the elastic plate frame in this invention;

[0030] Figure 5 This is an exploded view of the cylindrical connector and the pressing tool in this invention;

[0031] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the cylindrical connector assembled on the pressing fixture in this invention;

[0032] Figure 7 This is an exploded view of the inclined column connector and the pressing tool in this invention;

[0033] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the inclined column connector assembled on the pressing tool in this invention;

[0034] Figure 9 This is a perspective view of the ice-fixing base in this invention.

[0035] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0036] 1. Ice fixing base; 11. Fixed base plate; 111. Positioning hole; 12. Movable clamping plate; 2. Pressing system; 21. Lifting mechanism; 211. Frame; 2111. Upper horizontal plate; 2112. Lower horizontal plate; 212. Lead screw; 213. Servo motor; 22. Moving crossbeam; 23. Pressing fixture; 231. Fixture upper plate; 2311. Slot; 2312. Threaded hole; 232. Fixture lower plate; 2321. First reserved hole; 233. Support column; 234. Elastic plate frame; 2341. 2342. Elastic horizontal plate; 235. Elastic vertical plate; 235. Clamping plate; 2351. Second reserved hole; 24. Connecting sleeve; 25. Connector assembly; 251. Cylindrical connector; 252. Flange; 2521. Beveled groove; 253. Beveled cylindrical connector; 3. Observation system; 31. Force sensor; 32. High-speed camera; 33. First displacement sensor; 34. Second displacement sensor; 35. Thin-film pressure sensor; 4. Data acquisition instrument; 5. Second fixing plate; 6. First fixing plate; 7. Ice specimen. Detailed Implementation

[0037] To illustrate the possible application scenarios, technical principles, implementable specific solutions, and achievable objectives and effects of this application in detail, the following description, in conjunction with the listed specific embodiments and accompanying drawings, provides a detailed explanation. The embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the technical solutions of this application and are therefore intended to limit the scope of protection of this application.

[0038] In this document, the term "embodiment" means that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The term "embodiment" appearing in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor does it specifically limit its independence or connection with other embodiments. In principle, in this application, as long as there are no technical contradictions or conflicts, the technical features mentioned in each embodiment can be combined in any way to form corresponding implementable technical solutions.

[0039] Unless otherwise defined, the technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains; the use of related terms herein is merely for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to limit this application.

[0040] In the description of this application, the term "and / or" is used to describe the logical relationship between objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B means: A exists, B exists, and A and B exist simultaneously. Additionally, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the preceding and following objects have an "or" logical relationship.

[0041] In this application, terms such as “first” and “second” are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual quantity, hierarchy or order relationship between these entities or operations.

[0042] Unless otherwise specified, the use of terms such as “comprising,” “including,” “having,” or other similar expressions in this application is intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, which does not exclude the presence of additional elements in a process, method, or product that includes the stated elements, such that a process, method, or product that includes a list of elements may include not only those defined elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, or product.

[0043] As understood in the Examination Guidelines, in this application, expressions such as "greater than," "less than," and "exceeding" are understood to exclude the stated number; expressions such as "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the stated number. Furthermore, in the description of the embodiments in this application, "multiple" means two or more (including two), and similar expressions related to "multiple" are also understood in this way, such as "multiple groups" and "multiple times," unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0044] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the space-related expressions used, such as "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "vertical," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential," indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the specific embodiments or drawings. They are only for the purpose of describing the specific embodiments of this application or for the reader's understanding, and do not indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific position, a specific orientation, or be constructed or operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the embodiments of this application.

[0045] Unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," "fixing," and "setting," as used in the description of the embodiments of this application, should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral setting; it can be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a communication connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can be the internal connection of two components or the interaction between two components. For those skilled in the art to which this application pertains, the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0046] Please see Figures 1 to 9 This embodiment provides an experimental device for simulating the interaction between ice and an elastic plate frame structure, including: an ice fixing base 1, a pressing system 2, an observation system 3, and a data acquisition instrument 4;

[0047] Ice fixing base 1 is used to fix ice specimen 7;

[0048] The pressing system 2 includes a lifting mechanism 21, a moving crossbeam 22, and a pressing fixture 23. The lifting mechanism 21 is connected to the moving crossbeam 22 and is used to raise and lower the moving crossbeam 22. The pressing fixture 23 includes an upper fixture plate 231, a lower fixture plate 232, a support column 233, an elastic frame 234, and a clamping plate 235. The upper fixture plate 231 is located below the moving crossbeam 22. The upper fixture plate 231 is connected to the moving crossbeam 22 and rises and falls with the moving crossbeam 22. The lower fixture plate 232 is located below the upper fixture plate 231. The lower fixture plate 232 is connected to the upper fixture plate 231 through the support column 233. The lower fixture plate 232 has a first reserved hole 2321 that runs vertically through the upper and lower parts of the lower fixture plate 232. The hollow center of 32 provides space for the deformation and observation of the elastic plate frame 234. The elastic plate frame 234 includes an elastic horizontal plate 2341, which is located below and connected to the lower tooling plate 232. The elastic horizontal plate 2341 forms the bottom of the first reserved hole 2321. The clamping plate 235 is located below and connected to the elastic horizontal plate 2341. The clamping plate 235 has a second reserved hole 2351 that runs vertically through the upper and lower parts of the elastic horizontal plate 2341. The second reserved hole 2351 avoids the ice specimen 7. The clamping plate 235 and the lower tooling plate 232 clamp and fix the elastic horizontal plate 2341 from the upper and lower sides. An ice fixing base 1 is provided directly below the clamping plate 235.

[0049] The observation system 3 includes a force sensor 31, a thin-film pressure sensor 35, and a high-speed camera 32. The force sensor 31 is mounted on the moving crossbeam 22 and is located above the upper plate of the fixture, with the two in contact. It is used to collect the pressure on the pressing fixture 23. The thin-film pressure sensor 35 is connected to the lower surface of the elastic cross plate 2341 and is used to collect the pressure distribution on the contact surface when the ice specimen 7 and the elastic cross plate 2341 interact. The high-speed camera 32 is located on one side of the ice fixing base 1 and is used to collect the failure status of the ice specimen 7.

[0050] The data acquisition instrument 4 is connected to the force sensor 31, the thin-film pressure sensor 35, and the high-speed camera 32.

[0051] The working principle of the experimental setup is described below:

[0052] The ice fixing base 1 securely fixes the pre-prepared ice specimen 7, ensuring that the position of the ice specimen 7 remains unchanged during the test. The pressing system 2 drives the moving crossbeam 22 to descend via the lifting mechanism 21, which in turn drives the pressing fixture 23 to descend and compress the ice specimen 7 at a given rate until the ice completely loses its load-bearing capacity. The elastic crossbeam 2341 has a certain bending stiffness and can undergo elastic deformation. After the elastic crossbeam 2341 contacts the ice specimen 7, it continues to be pressed down, causing the elastic crossbeam 2341 to undergo elastic bending deformation, simulating the action process of a real marine structure under ice load. During this process, the force sensor 31 records the applied load, the thin-film pressure sensor 35 monitors the pressure distribution history in the contact area between the ice and the elastic crossbeam 2341 in real time, the high-speed camera records the breakage mode of the ice specimen, and the data is simultaneously recorded by the data acquisition instrument 4 for subsequent analysis of the ice-elastic structure interaction mechanism.

[0053] It should be noted that the structural stiffness of the elastic plate frame is less than that of other components (such as the upper tooling plate 231, the lower tooling plate 232, and the clamping plate 235), meaning that the other components can be considered almost rigid bodies. Optionally, the elastic cross plate of the elastic plate frame can be made of commonly used shipbuilding plate frame materials, such as Q235 steel plate, while the other components pressing down on the tooling, such as the upper tooling plate 231, the lower tooling plate 232, and the clamping plate 235, can be made of chrome steel. This ensures that during the action of ice load, elastic deformation is mainly concentrated in the elastic plate frame 234, and the deformation of other components can be ignored.

[0054] The above technical solution provides a simple, economical, and accurate forecasting method. It is ingenious, easy to operate, and can meet the research needs of various ice-structure interaction scenarios. In the absence of an ice-water pool, it captures the main characteristics of ice-structure interaction for simulation, making up for the current experimental status quo that rarely considers the feedback effect of structural deformation on the interaction process.

[0055] Please see Figure 3 and Figure 4In some embodiments, the elastic frame 234 further includes an elastic vertical plate 2342, which is vertically disposed on the elastic horizontal plate 2341 and abuts against the two side walls of the first reserved hole 2321. The elastic vertical plate 2342 is similar to a stiffener, providing reinforced support for the elastic horizontal plate 2341 and effectively limiting its excessive bending deformation during compression.

[0056] Preferably, there are multiple elastic upright plates 2342, and the multiple elastic upright plates 2342 are arranged sequentially along the length direction of the first pre-drilled hole 2321 in the rectangle. For example, Figure 3 Two flexible uprights 2342 are shown. In some embodiments, the flexible uprights may be arranged in an array of three.

[0057] Please see Figure 3 Preferably, the elastic vertical plate 2342 and the elastic horizontal plate 2341 are integrally formed, which can eliminate the risk of stress change or loosening caused by the connection interface and enhance reliability.

[0058] Please see Figure 3 Preferably, the elastic horizontal plate 2341, the clamping plate 235 and the tooling lower plate 232 are fastened together by bolts, and there are multiple bolts in different parts.

[0059] Please see Figure 6 In some embodiments, there are four support columns 233, located at the four corners of the pressing fixture 23. Each support column 233 is bolted to the upper fixture plate 231 and the lower fixture plate 232. The upper fixture plate 231 and the lower fixture plate 232 are parallel, with the support column 233 providing support between them. The four support columns 233 are symmetrically arranged at the four corners (i.e., front left, front right, rear left, and rear right), forming a stable four-point support structure. The four support columns 233 can be fixed between the upper fixture plate 231 and the lower fixture plate 232 with four bolts, provided with threaded holes on the upper fixture plate 231 and the lower fixture plate 232. Preferably, the upper fixture plate 231, the lower fixture plate 232, the clamping plate 235, and the elastic cross plate 2341 are all rectangular plates. It should be noted that the structural stiffness of the upper tooling plate 231, the supporting column 233, the lower tooling plate 232, and the clamping plate 235 is much greater than the structural stiffness of the elastic frame 234, which means that their deformation can be ignored during loading.

[0060] Please see Figure 3 , Figures 5 to 8In some embodiments, the testing apparatus further includes a connecting sleeve 24 and a connector assembly 25. The upper end of the connecting sleeve 24 passes through the force sensor 31 and connects to the moving crossbeam. The lower end of the connecting sleeve 24 connects to the upper end of the connector assembly 25, and the lower end of the connector assembly 25 connects to the upper tooling plate 231, thereby indirectly connecting the moving crossbeam 22 and the upper tooling plate 231. Optionally, the middle part of the force sensor 31 can be through which the connecting sleeve 24 passes. The connecting sleeve 24 is a hollow cylindrical or hexagonal metal sleeve, with its upper end fixed to the moving crossbeam 22 and its lower end having an internal thread or insertion groove, which mates with the upper end of the connector assembly 25 (such as a column or insert with external threads) to achieve insertion. In some embodiments, by replacing the connector assembly 25, the interaction between ice-structure barotropic and barotropic forces can be simulated on the same equipment, covering a wider range of polar operation scenarios.

[0061] Pressure tool 23 positive pressure: Please refer to Figures 5 to 6 The connector assembly 25 includes a cylindrical connector 251. The upper tooling plate 231 has a slot 2311. The lower end of the cylindrical connector 251 is inserted into the slot 2311 and connected to the upper tooling plate 231 by bolts. The cylindrical connector 251 is perpendicular to the upper tooling plate 231, and the upper end of the cylindrical connector 251 is connected to the lower end of the connecting sleeve 24. Preferably, the upper end of the cylindrical connector 251 is inserted into the connecting sleeve 24 and can be tightened by bolts below. The slot 2311 of the upper tooling plate 231 extends through both the upper and lower surfaces, allowing bolts to pass through the slot 2311 and be screwed into the cylindrical connector 251 for tightening. The cylindrical connector 251 is perpendicular to the horizontal plane and along the lifting direction of the lifting mechanism 21. The upper tooling plate 231, lower tooling plate 232, and elastic cross plate 2341 are parallel to the horizontal plane, simulating a head-on collision between ice and the structure.

[0062] Downward pressure fixture 23 inclined pressure: Please refer to Figures 7 to 8The connector assembly 25 includes a flange 252 and a beveled cylindrical connector 253. The flange 252 is bolted to the upper tooling plate 231. The flange 252 has a beveled groove 2521. The lower end of the beveled cylindrical connector 253 is inserted into the beveled groove 2521 and bolted to the flange 252. The beveled cylindrical connector 253 is inclined to the upper tooling plate 231 and the flange 252. The upper end of the beveled cylindrical connector 253 is connected to the lower end of the connecting sleeve 24. Preferably, the upper end of the beveled cylindrical connector 253 is inserted into the connecting sleeve 24 and can be fastened by bolts below. Replacing the cylindrical connector 251 with the flange 252 and the beveled cylindrical connector 253 changes the interaction state from positive pressure to beveled pressure. The upper end of the beveled cylindrical connector 253 is a circular surface, and the bottom end is an inclined circular surface with an inclination angle α consistent with the designed beveled pressure angle. A through hole is opened in the middle. The bottom of the beveled groove 2521 at the center of the flange 252 is beveled at an angle of α, allowing it to fit tightly against the inclined bottom end of the inclined cylindrical connector 253. A threaded hole can be drilled at the center of the bottom of the beveled groove 2521, enabling the inclined cylindrical connector 253 and the flange 252 to be fastened together with bolts. Four through holes are drilled at the edge of the flange 252, and four threaded holes 2312 are drilled at corresponding positions on the upper plate 231 of the tooling. After alignment, bolts are used to tightly connect the flange 252 and the upper plate 231 of the tooling. The tilt angle can be adjusted by changing the angle of the beveled groove 2521, thereby adjusting the tilt angle of the pressing tool 23.

[0063] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 3 In some embodiments, the observation system 3 further includes a first displacement sensor 33 and a second displacement sensor 34. The first displacement sensor 33 is located above the moving crossbeam 22 and is used to collect the displacement of the moving crossbeam 22. The second displacement sensor 34 is located below the upper tooling plate 231 and is connected to the lower surface of the upper tooling plate 231 through the second fixing plate 5. It is used to collect the structural deformation history of the elastic cross plate 2341, i.e., the time history law of deformation. The first displacement sensor 33 and the second displacement sensor 34 are respectively connected to the data acquisition instrument 4. The pressing system 2 controls the moving speed of the moving crossbeam 22, and thus controls the moving speed of the elastic plate frame 234, thereby simulating the action scenarios of the elastic plate frame 234 and the ice specimen 7 at different speeds. The first displacement sensor 33 can record the moving speed of the moving crossbeam 22, the second displacement sensor 34 can record the time domain curve change trend of the elastic plate frame 234 and the ice displacement, and the high-speed camera 32 can record the breaking characteristics of the ice specimen 7.

[0064] Preferably, the first displacement sensor 33 and the second displacement sensor 34 are laser displacement sensors.

[0065] Please see Figure 2In some embodiments, the thin-film pressure sensor 35 is adhered to the lower surface of the elastic cross plate 2341 with waterproof tape. See also... Figure 9 In some embodiments, the ice fixing base 1 includes a fixed base plate 11 and four movable clamping plates 12. The positions of the four movable clamping plates 12 on the fixed base plate 11 are adjustable, and the four movable clamping plates 12 clamp the ice specimen 7 from all sides. By preparing ice specimens 7 of different shapes, the interaction between structures and different forms of ice can be simulated, such as flat ice layers, wedge-shaped ice, etc. The fixed base plate 11 is parallel to the horizontal plane. In use, the ice specimen 7 is placed in the center of the fixed base plate 11, and then the four clamping plates are adjusted until their inner surfaces are tightly attached to the four side surfaces (front, back, left, and right) of the ice specimen 7, thereby achieving a stable clamping and flexibly adapting to ice specimens 7 of different lengths and widths.

[0066] Please see Figure 9 In some embodiments, the upper surface of the fixed base plate 11 is provided with an array of multiple positioning holes 111, and four movable clamping plates 12 are detachably connected to the positioning holes 111 by bolts. Multiple rows and columns of threaded holes or through holes are formed in the groove according to a regular grid (e.g., equal spacing of 5mm or 10mm) as positioning holes 111. Each movable clamping plate 12 has a matching threaded hole at its bottom. In use, according to the size of the ice specimen 7, a suitable positioning hole 111 is selected in the groove, the clamping plate is aligned, and bolts are passed through its mounting holes and screwed into the threaded holes to achieve a secure and repeatable installation.

[0067] Preferably, the upper surface of the fixed base plate 11 is provided with a groove, and a plurality of positioning holes 111 are arranged in an array in the groove.

[0068] Preferably, the movable clamping plate 12 is made of PP material.

[0069] In some embodiments, each movable clamping plate 12 can move via a guide rail, making its position adjustable relative to the fixed base plate 11.

[0070] In some embodiments, the lifting mechanism 21 includes a frame 211, two sets of ball screw lifting assemblies, and a servo motor 213. The frame 211 includes an upper horizontal plate 2111 and a lower horizontal plate 2112. The two sets of ball screw lifting assemblies are arranged side by side. The lead screw 212 of each set of ball screw lifting assemblies is connected to the upper horizontal plate 2111 and the lower horizontal plate 2112. The lead screw 212 is vertically arranged and connected to the servo motor 213. The nut seat of each set of ball screw lifting assemblies is connected to the moving crossbeam 22. One end of the lead screw 212 is connected to the upper horizontal plate 2111 through a bearing seat, and the other end is connected to the lower horizontal plate 2112 through another bearing seat to ensure rotational freedom. After the servo motor 213 is started, it drives the lead screw 212 to rotate. Since the lead screw 212 is restricted to rotation only by the upper and lower horizontal plates 2112 of the frame, the nut seat that cooperates with it will generate linear motion along the axis (vertical direction) of the lead screw 212. Two sets of ball screw lifting assemblies operate synchronously, jointly driving the moving crossbeam 22, which is fixedly connected to the nut seat (with balls between the nut seat and the screw), to move up and down. This structure makes lifting smooth and controllable.

[0071] In some embodiments, the lifting mechanism 21 further includes a gear assembly. A servo motor 213 is connected to the lead screw 212 of the ball screw lifting assembly via the gear assembly. The servo motor 213 drives the two sets of ball screw lifting assemblies to operate via the gear assembly. The servo motor 213 can be located below the lower horizontal plate 2112. When the servo motor 213 starts, the second synchronous gear rotates, simultaneously driving the first and third synchronous gears to rotate in the same direction and speed, thereby driving the two lead screws to rotate synchronously, causing the two nut seats to smoothly lift and lower the moving crossbeam 22.

[0072] In some other embodiments, the gear assembly may be replaced with a timing belt assembly.

[0073] In some other embodiments, the lead screw of each ball screw lifting assembly can be driven to rotate by a separate servo motor 213.

[0074] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 3 In some embodiments, the first displacement sensor 33 is connected to the lower surface of the upper horizontal plate 2111 via a first fixing plate 6. The first fixing plate 6 may be T-shaped, with one horizontal end of the T-shape fitting against the lower surface of the upper horizontal plate 2111 and the vertical end supporting the first displacement sensor 33, allowing the first displacement sensor 33 to face downwards towards the moving crossbeam 22. Similarly, the second fixing plate 5 may be T-shaped, with one horizontal end of the T-shape fitting against the lower surface of the tooling upper plate 231 and the vertical end supporting the second displacement sensor 34, allowing the second displacement sensor 34 to face downwards towards the elastic horizontal plate 2341.

[0075] In some embodiments, the lifting mechanism 21 can be activated by a controller. The controller can be a microcontroller.

[0076] In some embodiments, the selection, placement, and data recording of each sensor can effectively analyze the characteristics of their interactions. Force sensors record applied loads, displacement sensors record the beam's displacement and structural deformation history, thin-film pressure sensors record the pressure distribution at the contact surface, and a high-speed camera records the characteristics of ice specimen breakage. All sensors are connected to a data acquisition unit and transmit the data to the user's computer for recording and observation.

[0077] It should be noted that the entire test apparatus is placed in a controlled low-temperature environment (such as a controlled low-temperature laboratory), for example, with a temperature control range of -40℃ to 0℃, to maintain the stability of the mechanical properties of the ice specimens. All key components are adapted for low-temperature conditions to ensure the validity and repeatability of the test data.

[0078] This embodiment also provides an experimental method for simulating the interaction between ice and an elastic plate frame structure, including the following steps:

[0079] Place the ice specimen on the ice fixing base;

[0080] The ice specimen was fixed using an ice-fixing base.

[0081] A lifting mechanism drives a moving crossbeam and a pressing fixture to descend at a preset speed, causing the elastic plate of the pressing fixture to interact with the ice specimen until the ice specimen completely fails. During this process, a force sensor collects the interaction force on the pressing fixture, a thin-film pressure sensor collects the pressure distribution at the contact surface between the ice specimen and the elastic plate, and a high-speed camera captures the failure status of the ice specimen.

[0082] It should be noted that the preset speed can be calculated based on the target strain rate to determine the loading rate. The given loading rate controls the moving crossbeam to drive the downward-pressing fixture. The lower surface of the force sensor contacts the upper plate of the fixture, allowing the force sensor to detect when the fixture is under stress.

[0083] It should be noted that the choice between cylindrical or oblique cylindrical connectors should be made based on the simulation scenario, and the form of the elastic plate frame should be selected. The thickness of the elastic plate should be determined according to the similarity criterion.

[0084] In some embodiments, the test method further includes the following steps:

[0085] During the interaction between the elastic horizontal plate of the pressing fixture and the ice specimen, the displacement of the moving beam is collected by the first displacement sensor, and the structural deformation history of the elastic horizontal plate is collected by the second displacement sensor. This provides the possibility for further analysis of the typical characteristics of the ice-elastic structure interaction process and the energy feedback law.

[0086] It should be noted that the controller is connected to the force sensor 31, high-speed camera 32, first displacement sensor 33, second displacement sensor 34, thin film pressure sensor 35, data acquisition instrument 4, and lifting mechanism 21 (servo motor 213) to perform a test method simulating the interaction between ice and elastic plate structure through these electronic components.

[0087] Finally, it should be noted that although the above embodiments have been described in the text and drawings of this application, this should not limit the scope of patent protection of this application. Any technical solutions that are based on the essential concept of this application and utilize the content described in the text and drawings of this application, resulting in equivalent structural or procedural substitutions or modifications, as well as the direct or indirect application of the technical solutions of the above embodiments to other related technical fields, are all included within the scope of patent protection of this application.

Claims

1. An experimental apparatus for simulating the interaction between ice and an elastic plate frame structure, characterized in that, include: Ice fixing base, pressure system, observation system and data acquisition instrument; The ice fixing base is used to fix the ice specimen; The pressing system includes a lifting mechanism, a moving crossbeam, and a pressing fixture. The lifting mechanism is connected to the moving crossbeam and is used to raise and lower the moving crossbeam. The pressing fixture includes an upper fixture plate, a lower fixture plate, a support column, an elastic plate frame, and a clamping plate. The upper fixture plate is located below the moving crossbeam and is connected to the moving crossbeam, rising and falling with the moving crossbeam. The lower fixture plate is located below the upper fixture plate and is connected to the upper fixture plate via the support column. The lower fixture plate has a first pre-drilled hole that extends vertically. The elastic plate frame includes an elastic crossbeam located below and connected to the lower fixture plate, forming the bottom of the first pre-drilled hole. The clamping plate is located below and connected to the elastic crossbeam and has a second pre-drilled hole that extends vertically. The ice fixing base is located directly below the clamping plate. The elastic frame also includes an elastic vertical plate, which is vertically disposed on the elastic horizontal plate and abuts against the two side walls of the first reserved hole; The observation system includes a force sensor, a thin-film pressure sensor, and a high-speed camera. The force sensor is mounted on the moving crossbeam and is located above and in contact with the upper plate of the tooling. It is used to collect the pressure on the pressing tooling. The thin-film pressure sensor is connected to the lower surface of the elastic cross plate and is used to collect the pressure distribution on the contact surface when the ice specimen and the elastic cross plate interact. The high-speed camera is located on one side of the ice fixing base and is used to collect the failure status of the ice specimen. The data acquisition instrument is connected to the force sensor, the thin-film pressure sensor, and the high-speed camera; The pressing system also includes a connecting sleeve and a connector assembly. The upper end of the connecting sleeve passes through the force sensor and is connected to the moving crossbeam. The lower end of the connecting sleeve is connected to the upper end of the connector assembly. The lower end of the connector assembly is connected to the upper plate of the tooling, so that the moving crossbeam is indirectly connected to the upper plate of the tooling. The connector assembly includes a flange and a beveled cylindrical connector. The flange is bolted to the upper plate of the tooling. The flange has a beveled groove. The lower end of the beveled cylindrical connector is inserted into the beveled groove and bolted to the flange. The beveled cylindrical connector is inclined to the upper plate of the tooling and the flange. The upper end of the beveled cylindrical connector is connected to the lower end of the connecting sleeve.

2. The experimental apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are four support columns, which are located at the four corners of the pressing fixture. Each support column is connected to the upper plate and the lower plate of the fixture by bolts.

3. The experimental apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The observation system also includes a first displacement sensor and a second displacement sensor. The first displacement sensor is located above the moving crossbeam and is used to collect the moving displacement of the moving crossbeam. The second displacement sensor is located below the upper plate of the tooling and is connected to the lower surface of the upper plate of the tooling through a second fixing plate. It is used to collect the structural deformation history of the elastic crossbeam. The first displacement sensor and the second displacement sensor are respectively connected to the data acquisition instrument.

4. The experimental apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ice fixing base includes a fixed base plate and four movable clamping plates. The positions of the four movable clamping plates on the fixed base plate are adjustable, and the four movable clamping plates clamp the ice specimen from all sides.

5. The test apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, The upper surface of the fixed base plate is provided with multiple positioning holes, and the four movable clamping plates are detachably connected to the positioning holes by bolts.

6. The experimental apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lifting mechanism includes a frame, two sets of ball screw lifting assemblies, and a servo motor. The frame includes an upper horizontal plate and a lower horizontal plate. The two sets of ball screw lifting assemblies are arranged side by side. The screw of each set of ball screw lifting assemblies is connected to the upper horizontal plate and the lower horizontal plate. The screw is vertically arranged and connected to the servo motor. The nut seat of each set of ball screw lifting assemblies is connected to the moving crossbeam.

7. A test method for simulating the interaction between ice and an elastic plate frame structure, characterized in that, The experimental apparatus for simulating the interaction between ice and an elastic plate structure as described in claim 3 includes the following steps: Place the ice specimen on the ice fixing base; The ice specimen was fixed using an ice-fixing base. The lifting mechanism drives the moving crossbeam and the pressing fixture to descend at a preset speed, causing the elastic plate of the pressing fixture to interact with the ice specimen. During this process, a force sensor collects the interaction force on the elastic plate, a thin-film pressure sensor collects the pressure distribution on the contact surface between the ice specimen and the elastic plate, a high-speed camera collects the failure status of the ice specimen, a second displacement sensor records the deformation process of the elastic plate, and a first displacement sensor collects the movement displacement of the moving crossbeam.

Images