A Simplified Model for the Effect of Weld-Induced Residual Stresses on the Axial Ultimate Strength of Stiffened Plates

The present work investigates the compressive axial ultimate strength of fillet-welded steel-plated ship structures subjected to uniaxial compression, in which the residual stresses in the welded plates are calculated by a thermo-elasto-plastic finite element analysis that is used to fit an idealized model of residual stress distribution. The numerical results of ultimate strength based on the simplified model of residual stress show good agreement with those of various methods including the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) Common Structural Rules (CSR), leading to the conclusion that the simplified model can be effectively used to represent the distribution of residual stresses in steel-plated structures in a wide range of engineering applications. It is concluded that the widths of the tension zones in the welded plates have a quasi-linear behavior with respect to the plate slenderness. The effect of residual stress on the axial strength of the stiffened plate is analyzed and discussed.     

Improving the coexistence of offshore wind farms and shipping: an international comparison of navigational risk assessment processes

The continued growth and evolution of the offshore wind industry, and the emergence of other novel marine uses such as wave and tidal generators, have upped the ante for spatial planners, as well as consenting and approval authorities in various coastal states. These stakeholders rely on processes such as navigational risk assessments (NRAs) to balance safety and efficiency requirements and to make optimal decisions over use of space. Given the increasingly complex and crowded seascape, however, there are some apprehensions about potential shortcomings in these NRA processes. There is also some concern that these inadequacies may lead to unsafe or inefficient marine spatial use. To understand how NRA processes can be improved further, a literature review is conducted, followed by a survey of respondents who are involved in the planning, consenting and/or approval of offshore wind farms across seven different countries. A summary of the NRA processes in these seven countries is presented, and several shortcomings are identified. Based on the findings of the survey, a list of recommendations is presented to enhance existing NRA processes—and to improve the coexistence of shipping and offshore wind farms (OWFs).     

Crew resource management training in the maritime industry: a literature review

The study is based on a literature review of recent empirical research on crew resource management (CRM) training in the maritime industry, organised around what non-technical skills to learn and how. The review indicates that existing work is dominated by individualistic theories of learning with less focus on learning as a social process. Five main categories of skills that need to be trained are identified: assertiveness, decision-making, communication, situation awareness and team coordination. We argue that it is necessary to operationalise these broad concepts further, emphasising the work context and crew-specific needs. The review also shows that a combination of classroom lectures and simulator-based exercises is commonly used in maritime education and training in these skills. The learning effect seems to be suffering from training programmes that are exported ‘as is’ from aviation and not adjusted to the maritime domain or to operation-specific needs. This paper examines maritime crew resource management training from a social learning perspective, involving the view that learning is a context bound, social process that might take place in communities of practice (CoP). A CoP is a group (e.g. a crew) wherein members share an activity and learn from each other. It is argued that CRM training programmes will benefit from including a social learning perspective. Factors that enable the assessment of teams are discussed, and it is argued that the training should be tailored to existing crews, emphasising a learning environment as close to reality as possible.     

Market structures in coastal shipping: what to expect in Canada following the Comprehensive and Economic Trade Agreement with the European Union?

After several years of negotiation between Canada and the European Union, the Comprehensive and Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) was ratified in early 2017. The regime set out by the Canadian Coasting Trade Act that reserves shipments of cargo between Canadian ports to Canadian vessels remains mostly untouched under CETA. Minor, yet potentially significant, changes to the regime are introduced by the trade agreement. Provisions are made to liberalize the repositioning of empty containers within Canada. The liberalization of public markets now allows European firms to compete in the Canadian dredging market. Finally, EU vessels can undertake some transshipment activity in Canada but this is limited to international cargo on the specific Montreal-Halifax route. The paper attempts to highlight some possible CETA’s consequences for domestic Canadian shipping markets. It uses industrial economics analytical tools drawn from a Structure-Conduct-Performance (SCP) paradigm. From a literature review, it reconstructs different cases of deregulation that occurred internationally. The observed transformations are then characterized in terms of the SCP model. The paper identifies some common impacts which occurred in different transportation industries after a deregulation process. Using these findings, it concludes by discussing potential impacts for domestic shipping markets in Canada.     

Assessing a maritime service website prototype in a ship bridge simulator: navigators’ experiences and perceptions of novel e-Navigation solutions

The aim of this study was to assess proof of concept and usability of a maritime service website prototype in a full-mission ship bridge simulator through Swedish mariners’ experiences and perceptions. This test was part of the European Commission’s EfficienSea2 project for e-navigation. The prototype was intended as an aid to existing standard systems and methodologies for planning, executing and monitoring voyages. The study began with 5 days of simulator trials focused on today’s standard practices. This served as a baseline to compare to subsequent 4 days of simulator trials testing the prototype. For data collection, observations, video footage, interviews, and eye tracking were used. Data analysis included breaking apart the qualitative data to capture the perceptions of the participants, and a preliminary analysis of eye-tracking data as a complement. The results suggested that the prototype could be more suitable for a route planning stage, that the participants were familiar with similar existing solutions from other manufacturers, and that the contents of the tool would be most beneficial if integrated within the Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS). There is a pressing need for the novel solutions to be user needs-driven, integrated with the existing technologies, and standardized across the domain, and these processes must go hand-in-hand with accounting for all involved stakeholders, procedures, regulations, and training, as this will alter the course of shipping.     

Seafarers’ perceptions of competency in risk assessment and management: an empirical study

Past analysis of accident investigations suggest an absence of or inadequate practices of risk assessment and management on board vessels. Although the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention (ISM Code) requires that the risk management process must not only be correctly formulated and implemented but also be periodically evaluated in order to verify that these objectives are attained, the correct and effective implementation and application of the process cannot be achieved without active involvement of competent seafarers on board. Due to the limited investigation of seafarers’ competencies in risk management, the reasons for the inadequacies in the process that are leading to accidents were not evident. Hence, using a survey, this paper conducted a pilot study investigating seafarers’ perceptions of competency in the various components of the risk management process conducted on board vessels. The findings of this paper suggest an overall satisfaction with the risk assessment process. However, there is certainly room for improvement as far as seafarers’ performance is concerned. The findings of this paper provided valuable insights into the current training regimes in the area of risk assessment and management paving the way towards enhanced safety procedures on board vessels.     

铁路预应力路堤加固技术数值研究

研究目的:铁路预应力路堤在国内外尚属一种新型路基加固法,其受力变形特性暂未得到系统化研究,相关加固设计理论仍处于探索性阶段。因此,有必要通过数值手段了解预应力路堤的工作状态,以掌握其加固性能。鉴于此,借助ABAQUS软件平台构建预应力路堤仿真系统,分析差异化预应力加固参数对路堤变形和承载能力的影响以及预应力加固构件的受力特征。研究结论:(1)路堤本体段坡面较优加固位置为距本体顶面以下0.3倍本体高度处;(2)坡率1∶1的预应力路堤在第1、2排侧压板分别施加50 k Pa、100 k Pa预压荷载时,其变形与承载力均可达传统路堤(坡率1∶1.5)水平,并可通过提升加固标准进一步强化路堤承载性能;(3)当对第1、2、3排侧压板分别施加50 k Pa、100 k Pa、100 k Pa预压荷载时,路堤内部附加围压S11>13.5 k Pa区域大致呈x形分布并形成横贯路堤的预压加固区;(4)侧压板锚固区受力集中且复杂,应注意保障锚固区板体强度;(5)力筋在路堤加载前后的应力变化量与坡面侧向变形特征相关;(6)本研究成果可为铁路预应力路堤的加固设计提供技术指导。     

唐山公交用心服务谱新篇

1963年4月1日,一辆辆红白相间的公交车出现在唐山街头。自此,公共交通正式走入了唐山市民的生活。那时只有4条公交线路、34部车,275名员工。而今天,唐山市已拥有公交线路140条,运营车辆2022部,年客运总量达1.6亿人次。从1963年到2019年,56年时光弹指一挥间,唐山公交几代公交人风雨同舟、攻坚克难,用开拓进取的勇气和智慧谱写了一曲曲气势恢宏、振奋人心的公交赞歌。     

复杂水域船舶进出港全过程仿真建模方法

本文对比分析了国内外应用各种建模方法在船舶通航研究中的优缺点,提出了一种基于多智能体信息交互的港口运营系统仿真建模方法,旨在拟实反映复杂水域船舶进出港的全过程。结合多智能体系统仿真理论、离散事件仿真理论与多元数据统计分析方法,实现了对复杂水域船舶进出港全年全过程的精细化仿真,并系统总结了可通过建模解决的关键研究问题。     

基于信号和车辆系统联控的弓靴转换控制设计研究

广州地铁4号、5号、6号、14号、21号线运营线路采用第三轨集电靴受流方式,车辆段采用接触网受电弓受流方式,列车在进出车辆段时,需在弓靴转换点处进行降弓升靴或降靴升弓的操作,传统人防监控方法是人工监控与视频监控。文章研究利用信号定位、车辆控制软件联控的方式,实现列车弓靴转换由人防向技防的转变,设计研究成果已在广州地铁14号、21号线车辆段出入段线弓靴转换点处成熟应用。该设计研究方案能优化列车出入场管理、节约人力资源,并从根本上解决人工未按要求进行弓靴转换而产生的安全风险。