In order to study the distribution of ship ice pressure during the interaction between an icebreaker and pack ice, a numerical simulation analysis is carried out for polar ships in pack ice channels.

The discrete element method (DEM) is used to model the ship and pack ice. It is assumed that the pack ice is composed of an ideal two-dimensional disc, and the effects of the ocean current on the buoyancy, drag and additional mass of the pack ice are taken into account. The numerical model is validated by comparison with the experimental results of an MT Uikku model, and the effects of different speeds and ice conditions on the ship ice pressure in the pack ice area are analyzed.

The results show that the ice load is mainly concentrated on the bow of the ship when it moves in the pack ice channel. The ice pressure in the bow area increases with the increase in ice thickness, speed and the density of pack ice, among which ice thickness is the most important factor affecting the amplitude of the ice pressure. The ice pressure in the pack ice area has the greatest influence on the ice pressure in the bow area, and the ice pressure in the bow transition area has a significant effect.

The numerical analysis method can provide certain references for the safe navigation and structural design of polar ships.