Mixed analysis of shell and solid elements using the overlaying mesh method

 This article presents a mixed method of analyzing shell elements and solid elements using the overlaying mesh method. In the structural design of a ship's hull, the shell elements are used for the global model. However, the solid elements are necessary to analyze the stress concentration zones or the vicinity of a crack. In such cases, the models are analyzed using zooming analysis, in which the results of a global model analysis are transferred to a local model analysis by imposing boundary conditions. This method is more advantageous than zooming analysis in terms of the accuracy of the solution and the modeling flexibility. Some examples of a plate model with a cracked surface or with a projection are shown in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method. Received: August 6, 2002 / Accepted: November 25, 2002 Address correspondence to: S. Nakasumi (sumi@nasl.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp) Updated from the Japanese original, which won the 2002 SNAJ prize (J Soc Nav Archit Jpn 2001;189:219–224; and 190:655–662)     

基于一个二维水弹塑性方法和极限强度评估的集装箱船结构优化研究

海上极端波过去常常导致船舶结构的极限破坏,而船舶的极限崩溃涉及到船体结构的动态极限强度和结构非线性.该文通过二维的水弹塑性方法研究了集装箱船在极端波中的非线性动态强度,该方法考虑了船体的极限强度以及船体结构的非线性和波浪之间的耦合.并通过该二维水弹塑性方法和极限评估方法研究了船体结构的结构优化.文中还通过二次规划法(SQP)来优化基于非线性的动态强度的集装箱船体结构.最少的结构成本是本优化的目标函数,约束条件保证船体的强度要小于结构的极限强度,并且结构设计尺寸要满足规范的要求.随着设计波高的变化,这些优化的设计变量的变化趋势得以发现,一些研究的结论可用于船舶规范的参考.     

Stability assessment for intact ships in the light of model experiments

A systematic method for assessing intact ship stability with a free-running model in a seakeeping and maneuvering basin is proposed in this paper. Model experiments were carried out in extremely steep regular waves for a model drifting, running in head seas, and quartering seas. This method was applied to two purse seiners, and efficiently identified thresholds in metacentric heights for capsizing of these ships. These capsizing thresholds are compared with requirements of the IMO Code on Intact Stability. This series of model experiments also confirms that capsizing at the threshold occurs only in quartering seas, and shows that capsizing is caused by broaching, loss of stability on a wave crest, or bow diving. Received for publication on Jan. 20, 1999; accepted on July 6, 1999     

Active control for installation of underwater structures

The trend towards deepwater development requires a new approach to underwater installation of offshore structures. The present method using crane vessels has some drawbacks in operations at more than 2000 m depth. The natural period of the coupled system of the rigged structure and the crane vessel becomes longer, so that it is no longer possible to manipulate the cranes to achieve the desired positioning accuracy. This paper examines the application of an active control technique for underwater installations as one of the solutions to the present problems. An active control technique also has the advantage that it can deal with the structural flexibility which allows the structure to be large and light-weight. This structural flexibility imposes problems of suppressing the elastic responses and securing the stability of the control system. In this paper, anH _∞ controller combined with a low authority control/high authority control (LAC/HAC) feedback controller is designed for cases where structural flexibility cannot be ignored. A robust model-following controller is examined for cases where the structure can be treated as rigid. In order to confirm the control algorithm and verify the possibility of the active control installation method, basin tests are executed using two types of neutrally buoyant flexible models with ultrasound ranging systems and thrusters.     

A consideration of the structural design of a large-scale floating structure

The land area of Japan, especially flat land, is very small compared with its economic size. Large-scale floating structures are one solution to satisfy the demand for space by utilizing the ocean. This paper presents a general view of the dynamic response characteristics of large-scale floating structures, pontoons and semi-submersibles. For example, it is shown that the natural frequencies of eigenmodes are higher than the natural frequency of heaving motion. The response of the outer framework of a structure is shown to be generally larger than the response of the central part. Within the limits of our present understanding of the general dynamic response characteristics of such structures, the design and analysis of semi-submersible, large-scale floating structures is discussed. For a pontoon-type large-scale floating structure, a type whose perimeter structure has been modified to become lighter and more rigid is proposed. With this modification, the dynamic response of the whole structure is imporved.     

On the vibrational characteristics of a two-tier scaled container stack

It is estimated that around 10,000 containers are lost during maritime transportation every year, representing an economic loss to the liner industry. Regulations and norms used to calculate values to secure them to the ship’s deck account for static loads only, neglecting more realistic conditions. This paper describes an approach to simulate a two-tier scaled model of a 20-ft ISO freight container and its linking connectors, denominated twist locks, subject to a dynamical load induced by its base. To analyze this problem two methods were employed: a shaking table test and finite-element analysis. Results of this study indicate that the numerical model built to simulate two-tier container stack dynamics is a promising tool for further studies. Moreover, the model is able to predict conditions close to real situations faced by container stacks while stored on deck.     

Development of a finite element modeling system for ship structures

In ship structural design, many structural analyses by the finite element method are carried out on models at several different scale levels; for example, a whole ship, cargo hold parts, and detailed structures. However, one serious problem with this design and analysis process is that the generation of the finite element models for a complex configuration is very difficult and laborious. To overcome this problem, an object oriented, finite element modeling system, MODIFY, has been developed by the authors. In this paper, the concept of the finite element modeling system and the techniques for the construction of the system are explained. First, the object oriented data structure of the system, based on the Part-Object concept, is proposed. In this concept, not only the geometry of the domain but also the analytical conditions, such as boundary conditions and material properties, and the finite element model, are represented by the object oriented data structure. By using this data structure, effective finite element model generation can be expected. Second, a mesh generation algorithm based on the frontal method is described. The original frontal method by S.H. Lo was improved for application to three-dimensional curved surfaces. A new inner node placement technique to make quadrilateral elements around stress concentrated areas is also proposed. These techniques are suitable for ship structures, and more accurate results from the finite element analysis can be expected. Moreover, the parallel mesh generation is implemented in MODIFY by using the client-server concept to accelerate mesh generation. Third, a prototype system for the automatic finite element model generation for different analysis levels is proposed. The system is based on the concept of the PD part, which is the part in the design and production stage, and automatic computing of the intersection between PD parts. The validity of this system is demonstrated by some examples.     

Fundamental research on resistance reduction of surface combatants due to stern flaps

It is well known that a decrease in ship resistance may be achieved due to the installation of a stern flap. Therefore, so far, a considerable amount of research on stern flaps has been conducted. Previous research has demonstrated that the primary mechanism by which a stern appendage reduces resistance is a change in the pressure distribution over the aft body of the hull, and secondly through effects on the running attitude, near and far field wave generation, and local transom flow among other phenomena. However, the change in pressure distribution is influenced by the other components. Hence, there is still room for argument about the relative contribution of each component to the pressure distribution. Therefore, as the first step of the research, by conducting the model experiment in towing tank and CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) analysis, we examined the effect of running attitudes and wave making at the after portion of the hull on resistance reduction. As a result, it is concluded that a flap affects a change in the wave generated at the transom part and it could lead to a decrease in wave-making resistance.     

Comparative performance analysis of European airports by means of extended data envelopment analysis

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) has become an established approach for analyzing and comparing efficiency results of corporate organizations or economic agents. It has also found wide application in comparative studies on airport efficiency. The standard DEA approach to comparative airport efficiency analysis has two feeble elements, viz. a methodological weakness and a substantive weakness. The methodological weakness originates from the choice of uniform efficiency improvement assessment, whereas the substantive weakness in airport efficiency analysis concerns the insufficient attention for short‐term and long‐term adjustment possibilities in the production inputs determining airport efficiency. The present paper aims to address both flaws by doing the following: (i) designing a data‐instigated distance friction minimization (DFM) model as a generalization of the standard Banker–Charnes–Cooper model with a view to the development of a more appropriate efficiency improvement projection model in the Banker–Charnes–Cooper version of DEA and (ii) including as factor inputs also lumpy or rigid factors that are characterized by short‐term indivisibility or inertia (and hence not suitable for short‐run flexible adjustment in new efficiency stages), as is the case for runways of airports. This so‐called fixed factor case will be included in the DFM submodel of the DEA. This extended DEA—with a DFM and a fixed factor component—will be applied to a comparative performance analysis of several major airports in Europe. Finally, our comparative study on airport efficiency analysis will be extended by incorporating also the added value of the presence of shopping facilities at airports for their relative economic performance. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Learning tracking controllers under unknown disturbances for the installation of rigid and flexible structures

During the installation operations of underwater structures, offshore structures such as semisubmersibles, the steady nonlinear hydrodynamic force due to the ocean current, the tidal current, and the hydrodynamic interaction between structures are regarded as major disturbances. Generally, it is difficult and very expensive to collect information about these disturbances in advance, although such knowledge would be important and necessary for precise installation. Because of this situation, we have proposed a learning tracking controller (LTC) for automated tracking/docking operations of offshore structures. The LTC can be operated without any information about current, and can be applied to the installation problem of flexible structures whose flexibility cannot be ignored. In order to confirm the effectiveness of the LTC, basin tests were carried out using experimental models with an unknown current. Two types of basin experiment were executed using an ultrasound ranging system and thrusters. One was trajectory tracking of a semisubmersible, and the other was the precise mating of flexible underwater structures. In both cases the LTC showed good performance, and in the latter case in particular, two flexible models were successfully made to track the given trajectory and dock to the docking targets with an accuracy of ±5 mm, after the trajectory had been tracked six to seven times for learning purposes. No elastic responses were excited in the flexible model. Received for publication on Dec. 1, 1999; accepted on March 13, 2000