Objectives  When an offshore nuclear power platform operates in the Bohai Sea area, it faces a threat from floating ice in winter. Therefore, for the sake of safety, it is necessary to analyze the collision process between the floating ice and the platform.

  Methods  The finite element numerical simulation method is used to simulate the collision process between floating ice and a marine nuclear power platform. Comparing the resistance-displacement curve of the numerical simulation process with the data of the ice cone compression experiment, the feasibility of the numerical simulation method is verified. Based on the ice conditions in the Bohai sea, a typical floating ice model is established, and structural response is analyzed by the impact process between the floating ice and the platform. The bearing capacity of the platform for floating ice is then analyzed by changing the size of the floating ice with fixed ice thickness and fixed ice speed respectively.

  Results  The results show that during collision, the strength of the aggregate has a great influence on the bearing capacity of the platform, and the impact force increases with the continuous extrusion of the floating ice until the floating ice rebounds. With the increase of the size and thickness of the floating ice, the size of the floating ice that the platform can withstand a collision with reduces accordingly.

  Conclusions  Studies have shown that the strength of the aggregate at the collision site between the platform and the floating ice directly affects its own carrying capacity. This analysis finds that the speed of the floating ice has a greater impact on the bearing capacity of a platform than its thickness.