Mitigation of ice loading: Feasibility study of semi-active solution

Conical structures are commonly used in order to mitigate the ice loading on off shore structures. However a need for further mitigation of the structure response is recognised. This report introduces a new, semi-active solution aiming at mitigation of ice forces acting on off shore towers. New interface between the cone and tower is introduced. So-far-used rigid connection is replaced with compliant connection using adaptive springs and dampers. Adaptation procedure is introduced in order to optimise the effect. The solution aims at decreasing of the horizontal component of ice loading and does not affect the period of excitation. The feasibility study of new solution effectiveness is performed. Simulations are done using ABAQUS/Standard software.