Characterization of Offshore and Coastal Ice Conditions

by Kennon D. Vaudrey, Vaudrey & Associates, San Luis, Obispo, CA, USA,



Part of: Design for Ice Forces

Abstract:

Seasonal sea ice conditions typical of nearshore coastal zones are reviewed. Prominent ice features influencing design ice conditions for offshore structures are described. This paper is intended to provide an appreciation for sea ice behavior and its dependency on meteorological and oceanographic conditions. It is impossible to generalize all offshore ice conditions in a single chapter; therefore, typical conditions are given for two major regions in Alaska: the Beaufort and Bering Seas. Basic sea ice strength is more universal and can be expressed as a function of environmental, but not necessarily geographical, parameters.

Subject Headings: Sea ice | Ice | Meteorology | Seasonal variations | Offshore structures | Oceanography | Ice formation

 

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