Reliability Calibration of a Waves–Icebergs Interaction Load Combination Factor

The Canadian Standards Association [1] has developed and published a code for the design and construction of fixed offshore structures. One of the limit states relates to the combined effects of waves and iceberg collision loading. The Code uses a load combination factor to determine the design load effect. The present paper describes a recent study on the appropriateness of the recommended value of the combination factor. The study involves a numerical analysis in which loads have been calculated, at different probability levels, for a range of iceberg and wave parameters, considering waves alone, an iceberg alone, and an iceberg and waves in combination. The paper thereby makes recommendations for the load combination factor as a function of iceberg and sea state parameters.