Analysis of S–N data for new and corroded mooring chains at varying mean load levels using a hierarchical linear model

Results from full scale fatigue tests of offshore mooring chains are analyzed. The data set includes new and used chains, tested at a variety of mean load levels. The used chains have been retrieved after operation offshore and include samples with varying surface conditions, ranging from as-new to heavily corroded. Based on a parameterized S–N curve intercept parameter, the effects of mean load and chain condition are estimated empirically by regression analysis. A hierarchical linear model is used, to account for and quantify correlations within subsets of the data. The choice of grouping criterion for the hierarchical model is discussed, and assessed based on the current data. Results show that the mean load and corrosion effects are both significant. Differences in the fatigue performance of new versus used chains are quantified and discussed.     

Fatigue damage prediction of ship rudders under vortex-induced vibration using orthonormal modal FSI analysis

Recently, the fatigue failure of ship rudders owing to vortex-induced vibration has increased as commercial ships become faster and larger. However, previous methods are inappropriate for fatigue failure prevention owing to the lack of fluid–structure interaction considerations. This study aims to develop a fatigue damage prediction method that can be applied at the design stage to prevent fatigue failure of ship rudders under vortex-induced vibration. The developed prediction method employed the fluid–structure interaction (FSI) method to properly consider the fluid–structure interaction and implemented orthonormal mode shapes to reflect the complex geometry and boundary conditions of the ship rudders. For validation, vortex-induced vibration of the hydrofoil model was obtained using the developed method, and the prediction results matched well with the experimental results. Then, the fatigue damage of the ship rudder model under vortex-induced vibration was predicted using the developed method, and their characteristics are discussed. The stress distribution obtained using the developed method matched well with the geometrical characteristics of the ship rudders. The potential for fatigue failure due to the resonance of vortex-induced vibration was expected by comparing the stress distributions for various flow velocities to the S–N curves provided by the DNV classification.