Recent progress on wave induced loading measurements in warships

Recent measurements of wave induced hull strain and flexure in RN warships are presented together with the derivation of the current design criteria for extreme hull girder bending loads. The history of the development of the shipboard instrumentation used is given and recent developments to improve the quality and ease of analysis of the data are described. An unexpectedly high transverse asymmetry in the longitudinal strains measured in destroyers is shown to be the result of a combination of vertical and lateral bending in oblique seas. Finally recent theoretical comparisons between the loading of Deep-Vee hulls and conventional UK rounded bilge hulls are presented which demonstrate the higher loading experienced by this type of hull form.     

Estimation of fatigue damage and extreme response for a jack-up platform

Results from four different methods for stochastic dynamic response analysis of a proposed jack-up platform are compared. This structure exhibits both significant dynamic amplification and non-linear transfer of sea elevation into load effects. Both estimation of extreme response and fatigue damage are considered. The most complex procedure based on time-domain simulation and step-by-step integration is employed as a benchmark for assessment of three simplified methods. The simplifications consist of various types of linearization in conjunction with transfer function approximations. Applicability of the methods to structures with increasingly non-linear behaviour and dynamic amplification is briefly discussed.     

The implications of increased competition among ports for port policy and management

The increased competition faced by ports is more focused than previously on the performance of logistics systems of which the individual terminals in ports are critical hubs. The changes in competitive conditions raise issues about appropriate public port policies and strategies of port managements. This paper argucs that the port industry should (and is) moving in the direction of more harmonized policies based on economic principles. Port policies based on cost recovery from users of port facilities and services need to be adopted as the international standard. The competitive environment favours considerable local autonomy. Port management, in addition to possible direct responsibility for terminal management, needs to focus on activities with economies of scale or scope. Such activities, which span the requirements of terminals and may even warrant inter-port cooperation, enhance the services available for many port users.     

Time series for sea water and seaweed of Tc and Sb originating from releases at La Hague

⁹⁹Tc and ¹²⁵Sb have been released in low level liquid waste at the reprocessing plant at La Hague (Fr). Over a number of years data have been obtained on the concentration of ⁹⁹Tc in sea water and in seaweed from sampling locations close to and at increasing distances north and east of the point of release into the English Channel.In addition such data have been obtained on ¹²⁵Sb for a small number of sampling points. These time series, and the information derived from their intercomparison and from comparison with the release data, are presented in this paper.Time series on ⁹⁹Tc as well as ¹²⁵Sb in sea water and seaweed clearly confirm a considerable decrease in release rates at La Hague over the years 1986–1993. Transit times and transfer factors derived from the series are generally in good agreement with the results of modelling efforts. The data do not provide evidence for a time lag between levels of the radionuclides in sea water and those in seaweed longer than a few months.The very high concentration factors for ⁹⁹Tc in brown seaweeds make these seaweeds very useful for environmental monitoring the radionuclide at low release rates and to trace releases in areas remote from the point of release.