Iceberg stability and deterioration

Liang, Bo (2001) Iceberg stability and deterioration. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

[English] PDF (Migrated (PDF/A Conversion) from original format: (application/pdf)) - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. Download (10MB) [English] PDF - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. (Original Version)

Abstract

Icebergs pose unique risks to shipping and offshore oil and gas operations on the Grand Banks. These include risks of impact on fixed and floating installations, and risks of scour on sub-sea installations, such as pipelines and wellheads. Iceberg size, shape and stability are needed to determine the interactions and risks. A model is presented that focuses on the relationship between iceberg motion and its stability. Then melting and towing are considered separately. An example is shown to illustrate how changes in shape due to melting can lead to instabilities that result in the iceberg's reorientation to a new, more stable position. Meanwhile some other examples are shown to demonstrate how towing force and water drag force change the stability and motion of the iceberg. The work is a first step towards an iceberg evolution model that will eventually incorporate a detailed description of iceberg shape changes due to melting and fragmentation. Some of the consequences of reorientation, such as changes in draft and hydrostatic forces distribution, can then be considered. Such an iceberg evolution model will be a tool to aid iceberg risk assessment and iceberg management.

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