A study on the estimation of the seaquake response of a floating structure considering the characteristics of seismic wave propagation in the ground and the water

 Seaquakes, which are characterized by the propagation of vertical earthquake motion at the sea bottom as a compression (longitudinal) wave, are reported to cause damage to ships, and their effect on floating structures is a matter of great concern. To comprehend the basic properties of seaquakes, we first discuss a method to calculate the displacement of the seabed when it is subjected to hydrodynamic pressure. To investigate the interrelationship between the vibration of a floating structure and the deformation of the seabed, a new boundary integral equation is derived which assumes that the seabed is a semiinfinite homogeneous elastic solid in order to analyze the seaquake-induced hydrodynamic pressure acting on the floating structure. By considering the propagation of the seismic wave in the ground and in the water, the incident wave potential in seaquake problems is also deduced and its characteristics are discussed. Finally, the response of a very large floating structure in a seaquake is investigated using a fluid force analysis method, and considering the interrelationship between the vibration of the floating structure and the deformation of the seabed. Received: August 19, 2002 / Accepted: November 11, 2002 Address correspondence to: H. Takamura (hiroaki_takamura@nishimatsu.co.jp) Updated from the Japanese original, which won the 2002 SNAJ prize (J Soc Nav Archit Jpn 2001;189:87–92,93–100 and 190:381–386)     

Study of fatigue crack nucleation processes by crystalline FE analysis

 In order to accumulate knowledge about how material compositions and manufacturing methods affect fatigue strength, this paper investigates the relationship between the swiftness of the changes in the macroscopic indices of the crack initiation process and the hardening properties of a material. This is done by calculating the cyclic deformation behavior of a f.c.c. single crystal. The relationship between the swiftness of the changes and the crystal geometries is also examined by calculating the deformation behavior of a f.c.c. crystal with a high Schmid factor buried in a large crystal with a low Schmid factor. In addition, a multiscale hardening rule based on forest theory is developed in order to examine the microscopic mechanisms of fatigue slip band (persistent slip bands, PSBs) formation. The validity of the theories presented is examined by comparing the changing nature of the measured and calculated hysteresis loop shapes of f.c.c. single crystals. Inhomogenous slip deformation through the crystal is also investigated, and inferences are then drawn about the microscopic mechanisms of cyclic hardening and PSB formation. Received: August 5, 2002 / Accepted: December 18, 2002 Address correspondence to: N. Osawa (osawa@naoe.eng.osaka-u.ac.jp) Updated from the Japanese original, which won the 2002 SNAJ prize (J Soc Nav Archit Jpn 1998;184:351–363, 1999;185:283–292 and 186:535–544, 2001;190:539–551)     

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)     

Development of a computer-aided process planning system based on a knowledge base

 Process planning for a hull structure defines the assembly sequence of the hull block. Although this activity is very important because the working strategy defines the production costs, to date it has been done manually. To raise the efficiency of this process, we developed a practical computer-aided process planning system. It has been developed using deliverables obtained from advanced computer integrated manufacturing system (CIM; ACIM) for shipbuilding projects sponsored by the Ship and Ocean Foundation (SOF). The system has a knowledge base which contains the know-how of skilled designers as well as design practices, and allows the assembly sequence of hull parts and intermediate products to be defined automatically. The system has been integrated with the shipyard CAD system MATES, and put to practical use. Received: August 19, 2002 / Accepted: November 25, 2002 Address correspondence to: Y. Sasaki (yuuichi_sasaki@mhi.co.jp) Updated from the Japanese original, which won the 2002 SNAJ prize (J Soc Nav Archit Jpn 2001;189:309–315)     

Study on real-time estimation of the ship motion cross spectra

 Time-varying coefficient vector autoregressive (T-VVAR) modeling with instantaneous responses is applied to spectrum analysis based on the nonstationary motion data of ships. Because of the ship's maneuvers, changes such as course and speed, the ship motions in waves are regarded as a nonstationary random process, although the seaway can be considered as a stationary stochastic process. The T-VVAR model is transformed into a state space model, and the time-varying coefficients can be evaluated by using the Kalman filter algorithm. Using the estimated time-varying coefficients, the instantaneous cross spectra of the ship motions can be calculated at every moment. In order to examine the reliability of the proposed procedure, on-board tests were carried out. Under stationary conditions, at a constant speed and course, the proposed method shows good agreement with stationary vector autoregressive (SVAR) modeling analysis. Moreover, it is confirmed that the proposed method can estimate the instantaneous cross spectra of the ship motions even under nonstationary conditions, showing that this is a powerful tool for on-line analysis of the nonstationary motion data of ships. Received: August 2, 2002 / Accepted: November 28, 2002 Acknowledgments. The authors thank the captain and crew of the training ship Shioji Maru, Tokyo University of Mercantile Marine. Address correspondence to: T. Iseki (iseki@ipc.tosho-u.ac.jp) Updated from the Japanese original, which won the 2002 SNAJ prize (J Soc Nav Archit Jpn 2001;190:161–168)     

Test of large-eddy simulation models for homogeneous-shear turbulence in stratification

Numerical tests of various subgrid-scale (SGS) models were conducted for turbulence in thermally stratified homogeneous-shear flow at a relatively low Reynolds number. Compared with a direct numerical simulation (DNS), we found that nondynamic isotropic SGS models are not able to represent the energy spectrum very well because the energy decays considerably during the transition between an initial random stage and a stage of coherent turbulent structures. Dynamic models performed well for simulating the energy spectrum and the change of GS properties with time; anisotropy is not a necessary feature under the present simulation conditions, although one of the special features of stratified turbulence is anisotropy. This may be because the present grids for large-eddy simulation were fine enough to resolve the patches of counter-gradient heat fluxes, which play an important role in the evolution of turbulent energy in stratified turbulence. With respect to the domain-averaged values of SGS stresses, only the dynamic two-parameter mixed (DTM) model produced results of the same order of magnitude as those of filtered DNS. This is because of the terms arising from re-decomposing of the SGS stresses in the DTM model. It was also found that this incompetence in simulating the SGS stress is not necessary to simulate GS energy evolution, as is known for wall turbulence. Updated from the Japanese original (J Soc Nav Archit Jpn 2001; 190:27–39)     

Analysis of wave-drift damping of a VLFS with shallow draft

Numerical analysis of the wave-drift damping of VLFS as a floating elastic plate is presented. The source distribution method is used to analyze the drift force of the floating plate advancing with low-forward speed in waves. In the analysis, the shallow-draft assumption of the floating body is utilized; this assumption leads to the neglect of the steady disturbance field, which simplifies the analysis to a great extent. The consideration of the elastic deformation is made by modal expansion of the response, and the unit-amplitude radiation potentials are computed for each mode. The numerical results have confirmed that the wave-drift damping will have appreciable magnitude at the frequency region where the slow-drift oscillations are dominant. The formula for the wave-drift damping proposed by Aranha (J Fluid Mech 1996;313:39–54) has been compared with the present numerical results, but fundamental disagreement has been observed as reported by Finne and Grue (J Fluid Mech 1998;357:289–320).     

Transient responses of a VLFS during landing and take-off of an airplane

The transient elastic deformation of a pontoon-type very large floating structure (VLFS) caused by the landing and take-off of an airplane is computed by the time-domain mode-expansion method. The memory effects in hydrodynamic forces are taken into account, and great care is paid to numerical accuracy in evaluating all the coefficients appearing in the simultaneous differential equations for the elastic motion of a VLFS. The time-histories of the imparted force and the position and velocity of an airplane during landing and take-off are modeled with data from a Boeing 747-400 jumbo jet. Simulation results are shown of 3-D structural waves on a VLFS and the associated unsteady drag force on an airplane, which is of engineering importance, particularly during take-off. The results for landing show that the airplane moves faster than the structural waves generated in the early stage, and the waves overtake the airplane as its speed decreases to zero. The results for take-off are essentially the same as those for landing, except that the structural waves develop slowly in the early stage, and no obstacle exists on the runway after the take-off of airplane. The additional drag force on an airplane due to the elastic responses of the runway considered in this work was found to be small in magnitude.     

Extensive study on the design loads used for strength assessment of tanker and bulk carrier structures

ClassNK has undertaken wide-ranging basic research covering many aspects related to the safety of ship structures, including design loads, structural analysis, strength assessment of buckling, collapse, and fatigue, and rational corrosion margins to develop new design standards which have transparency and consistency. Among the wide-ranging basic research, this article summarizes the results of extensive work on the design loads used for strength assessments of tanker and bulk carrier structures. The main aim of the research was to develop practical estimation methods of design loads with rational technical backgrounds relating to the actual loads acting on the primary structural members of tankers and bulk carriers. During this study, we proposed the following methodology. Design sea states that closely resemble the actual sea states which are considered to be the most severe for hull structures. Find practical estimation methods for the design sea states by parametric studies using the results of series calculations on representative tankers and bulk carriers. Find practical estimation methods for design regular waves which will result in the same level of stresses as those induced in irregular waves under the design sea states. We also briefly introduced some practical estimation methods for the design loads, such as ship motions, accelerations, hull-girder bending moments, and hydrodynamic pressures that are induced under design regular waves. The findings in this study have been summarized and implemented in the new design standards for tanker and bulk carrier structures.Updated from the Japanese original which won the 2003 SNAJ prize (J Soc Nav Archit Jpn 2002; 191:195–207; 2002; 191:208–220; and 2002; 192:723–733)     

基于离散模块梁单元水弹性理论的复杂连接处建模方法

[目的]在离散模块?梁单元(DMB)水弹性理论框架下,提出针对连接形式复杂的超大型浮体结构(VLFS)的新的建模方法,并与已有方法进行对比分析.[方法]首先,概述基于DMB的水弹性分析方法,给出求解连续VLFS结构在波浪作用下的动力响应步骤;然后,针对VLFS复杂连接处进行建模,通过定义连接处的刚度矩阵,对与连接处相邻...     

Structural safety assessment of a pontoon-type VLFS considering damage to the breakwater

 A structural safety assessment of a pontoon-type very large floating structure (VLFS) surrounded by a gravity-type breakwater was carried out for extreme wave conditions by considering the damage to the breakwater. Bending and shear collapses are considered to be a failure mode of the floating structure, while overturning damages the breakwater. The probability of the breakwater overturning, and the transmitted wave height before and after damage to the breakwater, are evaluated using design formulae for port and harbor facilities in Japan. The ultimate bending and shear strengths of the floating structure are calculated by the idealized structural unit method (ISUM) and FEM, respectively. The calculated failure probability for the floating structure is compared with the specified target safety level. It was found that the floating structure under consideration is most likely to fail by bending in transverse waves, and that the corresponding failure probability satisfies the target level. Received: September 12, 2002 / Accepted: October 4, 2002 Acknowledgment. The authors are grateful to Dr. Shigeo Ohmatsu, National Maritime Research Institute, Japan, for allowing us to use the program of hydroelastic response analysis. Address correspondence to: M. Fujikubo (e-mail: fujikubo@naoe.hiroshima-u.ac.jp) Updated from the Japanese original, which won the 2002 SNAJ prize (J Soc Arthit Jpn 2002;190:337–345)     

Practical estimation method of the design loads for primary structural members of bulk carriers

Various design loads used in the strength evaluation of ship structures have been introduced currently by classification societies. As most of these design loads have been determined as standard loads for the sake of convenience, the relationships between the design loads and the sea states actually encountered by ships seem to be weak. Accordingly, it may be difficult to refer and utilize them as fundamental design concepts for ship designers or as operational guidelines for ship operators. In view of this background, various efforts (Trans. West-Jpn. Soc. Nav. Archi. 89 (1995) 191; 93 (1997) 121; Jap Shipbuild. Mar. Eng. 2 (1967) 13; Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering 1999; Mar. Struct. 13 (2000) 495; J. Ship. Res. 45 (2001) 228; J. Mar. Sci. Technol. 6 (2002) 122; J. Soc. Nav. Archi. Jpn. 186 (1999) 319; Technical guide regarding the strength evaluation of hull structures, 1999; Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering, 1995; Mar. Struct. 10 (1997) 611; Proceedings of the Eighth International Symposium on Practical Design of Ships and Other Floating Structures, Shanghai, Vol. 2, China, 2001, p. 1089; Mar. Struct. 12 (1999) 171; Mar. Struct. 4 (1991) 295) have been made in recent years for developing estimation methods of the design sea states in a rational manner. Furthermore, for more practical purposes, the authors have developed practical estimation methods of the design sea states, the design regular waves and the design loads having transparent and consistent backgrounds to the actual loads acting on primary structural members of tankers (Mar. Struct. 16 (2003) 275).In this paper, it is firstly confirmed that the proposed methods for tanker structures can also be applied to the primary structural members of bulk carriers. Furthermore, the necessary modifications are carried out considering the specific structural types and loading conditions of bulk carriers in order to improve the estimating accuracy of the proposed design loads. Finally, comparisons between the results obtained by the structural analysis of a hold model applying the proposed design loads and long-term values of stresses by the most advanced direct structural analyses for different loading conditions are introduced and discussed in detail.     

支撑条件对浮动式厚弹性板水弹性行为的影响分析（英文）

The hydroelastic response of very large floating structures(VLFS) under the action of ocean waves is analysed considering the small amplitude wave theory. The very large floating structure is modelled as a floating thick elastic plate based on TimoshenkoMindlin plate theory, and the analysis for the hydroelastic response is performed considering different edge boundary conditions.The numerical study is performed to analyse the wave reflection and transmission characteristics of the floating plate under the influence of different support conditions using eigenfunction expansion method along with the orthogonal mode-coupling relation in the case of finite water depth. Further, the analysis is extended for shallow water depth, and the continuity of energy and mass flux is applied along the edges of the plate to obtain the solution for the problem. The hydroelastic behaviour in terms of reflection and transmission coefficients, plate deflection, strain, bending moment and shear force of the floating thick elastic plate with support conditions is analysed and compared for finite and shallow water depth. The study reveals an interesting aspect in the analysis of thick floating elastic plate with support condition due to the presence of the rotary inertia and transverse shear deformation. The present study will be helpful for the design and analysis of the VLFS in the case of finite and shallow water depth.     

Elastic response characteristics of a very large floating structure in waves moored inside a reef

 This article describes the results of hydraulic model tests of the elastic response of a very large floating structure (VLFS) moored inside a reef in an isolated island. The distributions of strains and vertical displacements due to the elastic response of the VLFS were measured. The response characteristics were strongly affected by deformed nonlinear waves inside the reef. A two-step analytical method to compute the elastic response of a VLFS is proposed, and its validity is verified using the results of the hydraulic model tests. Received: May 2, 2002 / Accepted: March 17, 2003 RID="*" ID="*" Address correspondence to: S. Shiraishi (shiraishi@pari.go.jp) Acknowledgment. This study was supported by the Program for Promotions of Fundamental Transport Technology Research from the Corporation for Advanced Transport and Technology (CATT).     

平行界面的裂纹对应力强度因子的影响

研究了平行界面的裂纹的最大应力强度因子及影响因素.利用体积力方法和格林函数,最大应力强度因子可以表达为裂纹界面距离与弹性模量比的函数.通过数值计算给出了应力强度因子随裂纹形状、界面距离以及弹性常数的分布,并在此基础上利用√area参数分析了裂纹形状对应力强度因子的影响.研究表明,对于平行于界面的裂纹问题,√area参数是应力强度因子的主要控制因素.平行于界面的椭圆裂纹的研究结果可以用于分析任意三维裂纹的最大应力强度因子.     

超大型浮体模块水弹性响应和结构强度分析

水弹性方法针对超大型浮体的刚度特点,充分考虑了结构变形与流体运动的相互作用,是进行结构安全性分析的有效手段。文章采用水弹性分析方法研究了超大型浮体单模块总体波浪载荷以及结构应力响应。首先基于三维有限元方法分析了模块在真空中的总振动模态,然后结合模态叠加法和边界元法计算了模块在流场里面的谐振和模态响应。在此基础上,研究了各模态下结构的应力响应以及总应力响应,并分析了危险载荷工况,评估了超大型浮体单模块的结构强度,研究结果对超大型浮体单模块结构优化设计和安全性评估具有一定的指导意义。     

铺管船定位作业时的建模与分析

建立了J型半潜式铺管起重船非线性船舶运动数学模型和环境模型。采用自然悬链线法得到管道对船舶的近似动态水平作用力模型,给出了随着船体运动管道受到的作用力和管道形状的变化。针对铺管作业时张紧器和管道间的恒张力问题设计了控制器,控制器限制了船舶的运动和管道作用力的变化率,从而使管道和张紧器之间不会出现滑动,保证了铺管作业的安全性。     

An anti-motion device for a very large floating structure

We proposed a simple anti-motion device, which is a box-shaped body attached to an edge of VLFS. The performance of this device is investigated theoretically and experimentally in the present work. The theory is based on the eigen-function expansion method and the extension of this method to the oblique sea case is presented. The experiment is carried out in a wave tank with small-scale models. Both experimental results and the theoretical results show that the anti-motion performance of this device is very good at the design period in the case of beam-sea. The theory also demonstrates that this device reduces not only the deformation but also the shearing force and the moment of the platform and it also works well in the oblique sea.     

Time-domain analyses of elastic response and second-order mooring force on a very large floating structure in irregular waves

Real sea areas where very large floating structures are installed are random wave fields. Then, it is necessary to analyze the responses in the time domain due to directional waves. There exist hydroelastic deflections and slow drift motions in the responses of VLFSs in ocean waves. However, it is very time consuming to solve the equations of motion in the time domain and obtain these responses due to directional waves. It is unnecessary to solve such equations in the time domain, if mooring forces can be turned into on equivalent linear system. In this paper, we analyze the time-series responses without solving the equations of motion in the time domain. And, the corresponding model tests in uni- and two-directional irregular waves are carried out. The present method is validated by comparisons between the analytical and measured results of time histories, and moreover, the analytical method of a slowly varying wave drift force is also validated.     

Experimental study on responses of an 8-module VLFS considering different encounter wave conditions

For the very large floating structure (VLFS) which is deployed near seashores, islands and reefs, the encounter wave conditions are always extremely complex. Traditional methods using homogeneous wave environment conditions cannot be applied for the analysis. In order to provide references for the further development of numerical methods, this paper reports an experimental study on responses of an 8-module VLFS under three different encounter wave conditions. The wave heights, accelerations, motions and connector loads of VLFS in three test schemes are obtained and analyzed. The comparative results show that the inhomogeneous wave conditions have an essential influence on the responses of VLFS. Especially for the connector loads, the values in the inhomogeneous wave conditions increase a lot compared with the other two test schemes. It indicates the traditional numerical methods using homogeneous wave field may not guarantee a safe design of VLFS and its connectors in the complicated wave environments.